Table 1 Categories, subcategories, and examples of causes attributed to breast cancer

1) Psychological Attributions

Psychological and/or psychiatric symptoms

Emotional state, stress, worry, sorrow, deception.

Personality

One’s way of being.

Stress

Family problems.

2) Biological Risk Factors

Genetic/Hereditary

Illness caused by genetic inheritance.

Age

Illness caused by age.

Obesity

Illness caused by obesity.

Poor organ function

Alterations in the body’s defenses, low immunity.

Hormonal causes

Use of contraceptives, causes related to the menstrual cycle and menopause.

3) Behavioral Risk Factors

Lack of prevention

Lack of preventive tests, sedentary life, bad eating habits, carelessness.

Drug use

Use of cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs.

Breast-feeding related problems

Problems during breast-feeding.

Work related problems

Overwork, stress at work.

4) Lack of access to resources

Little medical care, lack of information, delay in medical care.

5) Physical Injury

Accidental bruises, hits, injuries.

6) Bad luck/Fate

Fatalism, bad luck.

7) Chemicals

Poison, pollution or pesticides.