SO many reasons that Breast Cancer, ALL cancers, really, are rising. It is not just b/c we hear about it more, the numbers are on the rise. It has everything to do with our lifestyles. Cancer rates among non-developed/ing countries are always the lowest and then begin to rise the more "westernized" their society becomes.
Our diets are absolutely horrible. The processed food is horrible, the fast food is disgusting. We eat sick cows and pigs that need antibiotics just to make it to slaughter. We eat sick chickens that are so deformed they can't even walk. The turkeys are sick and so deformed they aren't even able to procreate! The vegetables aren't even that healthy anymore! They are picked before fully ripe in order to be shipped and stored, so they never develop all the vitamins/nutrients that they should. On top of that, they are usually covered in Pesticides. Corn and soybeans (and wheat!) are genetically modified in order to be doused with Round-up and still survive. Farmers are given subsidies to mass produce these crops, which are then put in EVERYTHING. Soy can now be found in EVERYTHING and women drink soy milk by the gallons b/c it's healthy, BUT there is such a thing as "too much of a good thing"; Soy produces phytoestrogens and surplus estrogen causes tumors to grow. (
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=soybean-fertility-hormone-isoflavones-genistein) They drink diet sodas b/c they think they are healthy , but are loaded with toxic sweeteners. They drink vitamin water, thinking it's healthy, but it's loaded with sugar. We are more obese than ever and obesity is a huge risk factor for breast and other cancers. (
http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/facts/obesity/en/)
Many women spend their child bearing years focused on their careers, taking birth control, having multiple sex partners and contracting HPV and other STD's, all of which (exept the BC) put you at higher risk for reproductive cancers. And you can say I'm generalizing all you want, but more than 1 in 4 women have HPV. (
http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/hpv-genital-warts/news/20070227/hpv-infection-common-us-women) Just b/c your neighbor doesn't mention it, or look like "that type" of person doesn't mean they don't have it. Then, they hit their 30's and 40's and want to be able to bear children like they are 20 so they go through IVF and other fertility treatments... and I'm not criticizing those who do that, but it is a huge risk factor. The truth isn't always nice or easy to hear, sorry to offend, seriously.
People want to do whatever they want to do, and eat whatever they want, and live however they want; but they don't want to pay the piper when the bill comes in.
On top of that, people have become brainwashed to automatically label anyone who tries to warn them about their unhealthy lifestyle choices as a conspiracist, or elitist, or judgmental. So, they automatically dismiss anyone who brings up the fact that they are making bad choices (however, good they may feel) and they keep on doing what they are doing; just like I'm sure most of you will dismiss what I have said. But, facts are facts and if a person can't look around and see that the "I'll do whatever I want b/c I'm a modern woman and entitled to have my processed cake and diet soda too" is a cause of all this illness and death; then nothing anyone says will change their minds.
That said, I still have all the sympathy in the world for those dealing with cancer. It's not like anyone chooses to get cancer. Most people don't realize what they are doing to their bodies until it's too late, I know that is the case in my situation. I always thought I was eating healthy but ended up with PCOS, metabolic syndrome, and pre & gestational diabetes. It has taken the past several years learning about nutrition and food in order to get myself on a healthy track and I'm still scared that the damage may have already been done.
I have learned a LOT about lifestyles and food and illness, it's ALL connected. Sometimes you can be incredibly pro-active and do all the right things, but still end up with it. There are SO many women who sleep with one man their whole life, but end up with HPV or AIDS or an STD b/c their filthy husband cheated.
My mom is a nurse and saw a lot of this.
I highly suggest reading books like;
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
The Omnivore's Dilemna by M. Pollan
The Sugar Solution by the Editors of Prevention Magazine
Prevention Magazine
Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey M. Smith
Food, Inc.
There are SO many others! Those will get you started though.
Also, find a holistic nutritionist in your area. They can help you choose wholesome foods to keep you healthy and if you are afraid of Breast Cancer, they can tell you what to stay away from to help prevent it.
Also, I see that you are a Christian, so there is always just lifting your worries up to God
And, with the whole diet/lifestyle thing, I just try to go by this rule: Eat things that are as close to the way that God made them and you should be good.
ETA: OP I missed that part about your mom having some issues. I want you to know, I wasn't placing any blame on her or anything, it kinda sounds that way... I was just trying to answer your question as to why it is so prevalent and offering suggestions to help ease your fears by being pro-active
I've been through the whole mastectomy, chemo etc and while it is unnerving and does have the potential to breed great amounts of anxiety, positive thinking and trusting in the Good Lord really is what gets you through it. That also (especially!) applies to anxiety over the "what ifs". Our world is filled with "what ifs". Don't let them stop you from living your life and choosing to let that life be filled with peace and joy. We're ALL living for the moment here on this Earth. As I tell my son... deep breath, trust... all will be well. {HUG} 
is Horrifying....so, I guess my only point is be Aware and at least make informed decisions about what you buy and feed yourself/your families 
