Prevent Breast Cancer: Is It Possible?

Tweet

Prevent Breast Cancer: Is It Possible?

While the truth remains that there can never be any guaranteed fortification against breast cancer, it is definitely possible for you to improve your odds by taking some preventive measures, improving your lifestyle and including (as well as avoiding) certain food items in your regular diet. Did you know one out of every eight woman is vulnerable to develop breast cancer in her lifetime? In order to prevent breast cancer, you need to limit the risk factors involved. Incorporate a few easy things in your life and you can be successful in keeping this dreadful disease at bay.

Prevent Breast Cancer With These Easy Steps:

1. Say ‘NO’ to alcohol: Did you know that alcohol consumption boosts the chances of getting breast cancer? Studies have revealed that women who take more than one alcoholic beverages regularly are more prone to develop breast cancer (risk is higher by up to 25%); that is why, abstain from alcohol.

2. Say ‘NO’ to smoking: If you thought smoking is essential for you to beat the stress, think again. You might be exposed to the dangers to breast cancer if you are in the habit of smoking (even passive smoking). It is likely that your smoking could increase breast cancer chances by about 40%.

3. Maintain the right body weight: It is important for you to maintain a BMI not more than 25; gaining excessive weight, especially during menopause could increase chances of getting a post menopausal breast cancer.

4. Don’t go for Hormone Replacement Therapy for long: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can go a long way in lowering your chances of getting a heart ailment; but at the same time, it can be a potent cause for you to develop breast cancer when taken for a long term. If this therapy is absolutely necessary for you, consult with your doctor and try to balance the risk.

5. Exercise Regularly: Regular physical activity for at least thirty minutes can go a long way in preventing heart problems, obesity and breast cancer. Be consistent in your exercise regimen. Being physically active daily helps to reduce your chances of getting breast cancer by almost 40%.

6. Exposure to pesticides should be avoided: There are some pesticides which start acting as hormones (estrogen) as soon as they enter your body. If you get these pesticide deposits in your breast tissues, you have a higher risk factor. So, try to stay away from pesticides as much as possible.

7. Get pregnant early in life: Pregnancy helps in combating breast cancer. It is advised that you get a baby while you are in your twenties. Pregnancy in mid thirties or later would not help however.

8. Breastfeed your baby: Estrogen is 80% responsible for fueling breast cancer; pregnancy combined with lactation lowers the level of estrogen and therefore, breastfeeding your baby is helpful in reducing your exposure to estrogen for your lifetime. Moreover, breastfeeding might make your breast cells breast cancer resistant.

9. Eat a diet to prevent cancer: Eat plenty of nutritious fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and whole grains. Eat food items that are rich in fiber content as it helps to decrease breast cancer risk by 55%. Include lots of soybeans but avoid sweetened soy products. Have allium vegetables like onions, leeks and garlic to neutralize free radicals that cause cancer. It is best if you can have cruciferous vegetables raw or cooked light. Increase your intake of oily fish (tuna, mackerel, salmon, and sardines) rich in omega-3 fats. Restrict the intake of omega-6 fats (safflower, sunflower and corn oils).
10. Perform a breast self exam every month: Doing this would not prevent cancer from occurring but it is definitely going to help you detect cancer at early stages when the treatment is less aggressive.

With these easy steps, your life is going to be healthier and you would be less prone to develop breast cancer. While it is not possible to eliminate the risk of getting breast cancer completely, you can surely maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce the chances.

Also Read:
Pap Smear Test for Detecting Cervical Cancer
How to Reduce Breast Size
Tender Breasts: Causes and Cures of Breast Tenderness
Breast Cancer Self Examination of Breasts
Sonal Chauhan at Elle Breast Cancer Campaign

Tagged as: alcohol, breast, breast cancer, breast feed, cancer, estrogen, exercise, smoking, woman