5 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer, while one of the most common cancers, is not completely preventable. But it is extremely treatable – and can be very easy to detect. There are many techniques and strategies you can use to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. Remember, the earlier you discover it, the more likely you can completely treat breast cancer.

• Cut back on alcohol: Studies have found some correlation between breast cancer and alcohol consumption. Women who drink between two and five drinks daily increase their risk of developing breast cancer by one and a half times more than a woman who has one or fewer drinks daily.

• Lose those extra pounds: Excess weight also is one of the biggest risk factors for breast cancer – and this is particularly true for post-menopausal women. The research is a bit fuzzy when it comes to the specifics – some show that the risk is higher for those women who gain weight as adults, as opposed to those people who are obese throughout their lives. Regardless, there does appear to be a connection between obesity and breast cancer.

• Exercise, exercise, exercise: By no surprise, exercise is a recommended way to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Experts say there is a connection between sedentary people – those who aren’t exercising, walking or moving – and breast cancer. By simply walking a half-hour a day, you’ll not only reduce your breast cancer risk, but you’ll also be living a more healthy life overall.

• Eat your fruits and veggies: Turns out, mom was right. Fruits and vegetables are important parts of a healthy diet. High-fat diets, on the other hand, can be particularly troubling when it comes to breast cancer. Areas of the world that tend to have low-fat diets (such as Asia) also have lower incidents of breast cancer. But some experts also say there is no direct correlation between high-fat diets (which are common in the United States) and breast cancer. Regardless, a healthy diet will improve your overall health and ability to fight infection.

• Overall well-being: It might sound silly, but simply living a healthy lifestyle will help you prevent cancer – or might help you catch it early. That means don’t smoke, eat and drink in moderation, get your sleep, keep your stress level at a minimum, work in a healthy environment, and get your checkups at the doctor.

Remember, no matter how many risk factors you can control, nothing can guarantee that you will be breast cancer-free for life. There are environmental and genetic factors that can play into developing breast cancer. That’s why it’s so vitally important to get annual mammograms and to conduct self-exams monthly. And if you have a family history of breast cancer, you should start getting mammograms early – before you turn age 40. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the best methods of prevention and monitoring. Those who catch breast cancer early are much, much more likely to live cancer-free after treatment.