Emotions as a risk factor in the development of breast cancer were described in the professional literature as early as 200 AD and continued to be cited until the 1960's. The research dwindled after the 1960's because researchers discovered what they agreed to be more effective means of treatment: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy. Current popular literature clearly addresses risk factors for breast cancer, but does not include emotions as a risk factor. This is in contrast to scientific literature that makes a case regarding the relationship between a woman's emotions and the development of breast cancer. One of the problems with the scientific literature is that most of the research was done in the late 19th century and early 20th centuries. A qualitative pilot study using grounded theory was conducted to describe women's emotions prior to their diagnoses with breast cancer. Data collection was completed through in-depth interviews with ten women. Constant-comparative analysis was used to identify six themes that confirmed the existing literature. These themes included the experience of a major loss; the inability to deal with certain emotions; an emotionally distant relationship with one or both parents; an inhibited sexual expression; the inability to deal with significant amounts of stress; and, feelings of worthlessness. Three new themes emerged during analysis including: feminine socialization (the traditional ways of being socialized in the US); perceived causes of breast cancer by the participants; and, a cancer diagnosis as a “wake-up call” to create healthy changes in life. The major findings in this study support the existing theories regarding the relationship between certain emotions as a risk factor and the development of breast cancer. Finally, in this study, certain emotions such as anger, grief, guilt, resentment, in addition to certain life experiences and behaviors appeared to be risk factors in the development of breast cancer in the women interviewed. Keyword(s): health promotion, medical/medical care, research