How to reduce risk of breast cancer?
Below mentioned steps has proven effective in breast cancer prevention and in lowering the risk of getting it for several women.
Don't smoke at all
Researchers have found a strong link between smoking and increased breast cancer risk, mainly in premenopausal women. Not smoking is any ways good for your overall health, while it also lowers the chances of breast cancer.
Limit Alcohol
Excessive intake of alcohol is a big risk factor for breast cancer. Even if you choose to drink alcohol, limit yourself to no more than one drink a day.
Watch your weight
Obesity or being overweight increases the risk of breast cancer manifold. This is especially seen in women, in whom obesity occurs later in life, after menopause. Not only breast cancer, obesity is a risk factor for several life threatening diseases such as diabetes, heart ailments and other.
Get physically active
Being physical active can result in maintaining a healthy weight, which, in turn may help in reducing the risk of breast cancer. For all healthy adults, 45 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity 3 to 4 times in a week is considered good enough.
Breastfeed for longer duration
This is an important factor in breast cancer prevention. The longer you breastfeed, the greater protective effect it provides to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women.
Mind your diet
It is noticed that breast cancer is less common in countries where the staple diet is plant based and low in total fat. Studies also suggest that young girls, who eat a high-fat diet during puberty, may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer later in life, even if they are not overweight at that age.
Eating lots of vegetables, mushrooms, tomatoes and whole fruits, limiting fat content in diet and mixing protein options (fish, egg, poultry, beef, and lentils) is a healthy dietary choice to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Limit duration & dose hormone therapy
Some females have to undertake HRT or hormone replacement therapy to ease menopausal symptoms. Such combination hormone therapy taken for more than 3 to 5 years increases the risk of breast cancer. Ask your doctor about other options against it.
Avoid exposure to radiation
Repeated exposure in imaging methods such as computerized tomography or excessive and repeated chest x rays may expose you to use of high doses of radiation, which have been linked with breast cancer risk. Try to limit the exposure by having such tests only when absolutely essential.
Above mentioned preventive measures and lifestyle modifications will help in reducing the risk of breast cancer to a large extent.
Breast cancer detection at an early stage is very important for its good prognosis. Hence, going for regular health checkups is imperative for everyone.
