Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. In the United States, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. The good news is that breast cancer can often be treated successfully if it’s found early. Breast cancer that is diagnosed and treated when it is still localized (has not spread beyond the breast) has a five-year survival rate of nearly 100 percent. But are there ways to prevent breast cancer? Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer. But there are things you can do that may lower your risk. Things you can do to lower your risk of breast cancer:
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Increased body weight or weight gain is linked with an increased risk of developing breast cancer, especially after menopause. But, before we get to the link between weight and risk for developing cancer, we first have to go back to the questions of what is breast cancer and what causes it? Breast cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the breast tissue. Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. The cause of breast cancer is not fully understood, but we do know that it occurs when something triggers the growth of abnormal cells in the breast. We also know that certain risk factors can increase your chance of developing breast cancer. One such risk is being overweight or obese. Carrying extra weight, especially after menopause, raises your risk for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that you maintain a healthy weight throughout your life by balancing your food consumption with regular exercise.
Be Physically Active
In addition to maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active is also linked to a lower risk of developing breast cancer. Research has shown that women who are physically active have a lower risk of breast cancer than women who are not active. This is because physical activity can help to lower levels of estrogen in the body. Estrogen is a hormone that is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. So, by lowering estrogen levels, physical activity can help to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on most days of the week. Moderate-intensity activities include walking, biking, and swimming. You don’t have to do all 30 minutes at one time. You can break it up into smaller segments of 10 or 15 minutes throughout the day.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol is considered to be a major risk factor for developing breast cancer. The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk. If you drink alcohol, limit yourself to no more than one drink per day. One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor. Women who drink more than one alcoholic beverage per day have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who abstain from alcohol or who only have one drink per day. In addition, alcohol can also increase your weight, which as we’ve already discussed, is another risk factor for developing breast cancer.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking is not only harmful to your lungs but it’s also been linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer and other cancer types. Women who smoke have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, especially if they start smoking at a young age. If you smoke, try to quit. There are many resources available to help you quit smoking, including nicotine replacement therapy and counseling. Besides cancer, smoking also increases your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems. Smoking doesn't just harm the smoker, it also harms those around them. If you smoke, try to quit for your health and for the health of those around you.
Avoid Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are a type of medication that is used to prevent pregnancy. They work by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). Birth control pills also contain estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone that is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. For this reason, women who are taking birth control pills have a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer. However, there's no need to panic if you're taking birth control pills. The overall risk is still very low, and the benefits of taking birth control pills (such as preventing pregnancy) outweigh the risks. If you're concerned about the link between birth control pills and breast cancer, talk to your doctor about your options.
Breastfeed if Possible
If you recently gave birth, one thing you can do to help prevent breast cancer is to breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer later on in life. This is because breastfeeding can help lower the levels of certain hormones in the body, such as estrogen. Additionally, breastfeeding can also help improve the health of your breasts. Experts recommend that you breastfeed your baby for at least one year.
Go To Regular Check-Ups
Regular check-ups are important for maintaining your health. This is especially true if you have a family history of breast cancer. During a regular check-up, your doctor will perform a physical exam and order some routine tests. These tests can help to detect any early signs of breast cancer. Additionally, your doctor may also recommend that you have a mammogram. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. It can help to detect breast cancer in its early stages when it is most treatable. If you're due for a check-up, make an appointment with your doctor today. When breast cancer is spotted early, it can be more effectively treated.
The most important thing you can do is to maintain a healthy weight, be physically active and go for regular check-ups. The earlier breast cancer is detected in its early stages the better chance it has of being treated effectively. If you have any questions about how to detect signs or symptoms of breast cancer please contact your doctor as soon as possible so that they can help you.
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