Life Style Changes to Prevent Breast Cancer

You can reduce your risk of breast cancer by changing specific items in the way you live your life.  Yes, I know this sounds like work.  But it is wonderful to be healthy!

Weight

One of the biggest factors that you can control is your weight.  The risk increases if you have gained weight after menopause or are carrying the extra fat around your middle.  If you have gained weight during the adult years of your life and have a diet that is high in fat, you may be increasing your risk for developing this disease.  Studies show conflicting data on the relationship of fat in your diet and breast cancer.  One thing is clear; you need to control your weight.  This will help you lead a healthier life and decrease your chances of breast cancer and many other deadly diseases.

Exercise

Exercising is important to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.  It is never too late to start an exercise program.  Contact your doctor to see if there are limits that should be placed on your exercise routine.  You may begin an exercise program by gentle stretching motions, taking a walk around the block, or any other light form of exercise.  Studies show that you will benefit from as little as an hour and fifteen minutes of added exercise each week.  If you increase that time to over two and a half hours, you will reduce your risk by another 18%.  The more your exercise, the lower your risk of developing breast cancer.

Child Bearing

Your decision on pregnancy issues may also affect your risk of breast cancer.  Choosing not to have a child or having your first child over the age of 30 will increase your risk.  Breast-feeding will also lower your risk of breast cancer.  Studies show that breast-feeding for one and a half to two years significantly decreases your risk of developing breast cancer.  Birth control pills may increase your risk slightly, but if you haven’t taken birth control in the previous ten years, your risk is reduced. 

Hormone Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy over a long period will increase your risk of breast cancer.  HRT also increases your chances of having heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots or strokes.  One interesting fact I discovered about hormone replacement therapy is that it decreases the effectiveness of mammogram screening.  That means that breast cancer is often diagnosed later in patients who have been on hormone replacement therapy for a longtime.  Once you have stopped taking HRT, your risk lowers after the first five years of being HRT free.  If you are experiencing menopausal symptoms, contact your doctor about the risks of HRT or look into natural ways to control your symptoms. 

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol has been proven to increase your risk of developing breast cancer.  If you have one drink a day, you are increasing your risk slightly.  If you are having two to five drinks each day, you are increasing your risk of breast cancer.  If you drink any alcohol, your risk is more than a woman who drinks no alcohol.

You are in control of your life.  A healthy lifestyle will be to your ultimate benefit.