The causes of breast cancer haven’t been fully understood, it's not even known if it can be prevented all in all, but it’s safe to say that breast cancer prevention starts with healthy habits.
To prevent new cancers from starting, scientists look at risk factors and protective factors. Some risk factors, such as family history, can't be changed. However, there are lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk.
If you're concerned about breast cancer, you may be wondering what these healthy habits are. Here are the most important ones:
1. Avoid becoming overweight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer. Obesity raises the risk of breast cancer subsequent to menopause for women, the time of life when breast cancer most often occurs. Avoid gaining weight over time, and try to maintain a body-mass index under 25 (calculators are found online).
2. To avoid becoming overweight, eat healthy. Indulge in a diet high in vegetables and fruit and low in sugared drinks, refined carbohydrates and fatty foods. Eat whole grains. Choose vegetable oils over animal fats.
3. Stay physically active. Research suggests that improved physical activity, even when begun later in life, generally reduces breast-cancer risk. All it takes is moderate exercise like a 30-minute walk, five days, a week to get this protective effect, or taking the stairs instead of the escalator.
4. Drink moderately or no alcohol. Alcohol use is connected with an increased risk of breast cancer. Women should especially limit intake to no more than one drink per day, whatever type of alcohol it is. Studies have proven that the more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of developing breast cancer.
5. Don’t smoke. Research suggests that long-term smoking is associated with increased risk of breast cancer in some women. Smoking is also one of the leading causes of all diseases in the world.
6. If you bear children, breast-feed your babies for as long as possible. Women who breast-feed their babies for at least a year in total have a reduced risk of developing breast cancer later. The reasons aren't completely understood, but it could be because women don't ovulate as often while they're breastfeeding and oestrogen levels remain constant.
7. Get regular breast cancer screenings. Follow your doctor or health care provider’s recommendations to make a decision what type of screening you need and how often you need it, especially if you have a history of breast cancer in the family. Breast self-exam is also one way that you can get to know what is normal for your breasts. Early detection and treatment is still the best strategy for a better cancer outcome, no matter what type.
Avoiding modifiable cancer risk factors may help prevent certain cancers. Increasing protective factors such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and exercising may also help put a stop to some cancers.
Talk to your doctor or other health care professional about how you might lower your risk of cancer.
Be on your guard about breast cancer detection. If you detect any changes in your breasts, such as a new lump or skin changes, consult your doctor immediately.
References:
http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/understanding-breast-cancer-prevention
http://preventcancer.org/prevention/preventable-cancers/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-prevention-early-detection/
To prevent new cancers from starting, scientists look at risk factors and protective factors. Some risk factors, such as family history, can't be changed. However, there are lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk.
If you're concerned about breast cancer, you may be wondering what these healthy habits are. Here are the most important ones:
1. Avoid becoming overweight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer. Obesity raises the risk of breast cancer subsequent to menopause for women, the time of life when breast cancer most often occurs. Avoid gaining weight over time, and try to maintain a body-mass index under 25 (calculators are found online).
2. To avoid becoming overweight, eat healthy. Indulge in a diet high in vegetables and fruit and low in sugared drinks, refined carbohydrates and fatty foods. Eat whole grains. Choose vegetable oils over animal fats.
3. Stay physically active. Research suggests that improved physical activity, even when begun later in life, generally reduces breast-cancer risk. All it takes is moderate exercise like a 30-minute walk, five days, a week to get this protective effect, or taking the stairs instead of the escalator.
4. Drink moderately or no alcohol. Alcohol use is connected with an increased risk of breast cancer. Women should especially limit intake to no more than one drink per day, whatever type of alcohol it is. Studies have proven that the more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of developing breast cancer.
5. Don’t smoke. Research suggests that long-term smoking is associated with increased risk of breast cancer in some women. Smoking is also one of the leading causes of all diseases in the world.
6. If you bear children, breast-feed your babies for as long as possible. Women who breast-feed their babies for at least a year in total have a reduced risk of developing breast cancer later. The reasons aren't completely understood, but it could be because women don't ovulate as often while they're breastfeeding and oestrogen levels remain constant.
7. Get regular breast cancer screenings. Follow your doctor or health care provider’s recommendations to make a decision what type of screening you need and how often you need it, especially if you have a history of breast cancer in the family. Breast self-exam is also one way that you can get to know what is normal for your breasts. Early detection and treatment is still the best strategy for a better cancer outcome, no matter what type.
Avoiding modifiable cancer risk factors may help prevent certain cancers. Increasing protective factors such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and exercising may also help put a stop to some cancers.
Talk to your doctor or other health care professional about how you might lower your risk of cancer.
Be on your guard about breast cancer detection. If you detect any changes in your breasts, such as a new lump or skin changes, consult your doctor immediately.
References:
http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/understanding-breast-cancer-prevention
http://preventcancer.org/prevention/preventable-cancers/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-prevention-early-detection/