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Because no one is exactly sure what causes breast cancer, there are no surefire ways to prevent it. There are, however, some ways to decrease your risk. The most important thing you can do to help decrease your risk of breast cancer and many other diseases is to live a healthy lifestyle. That means exercising, eating right, staying away from risky behaviors, taking time to relax and seeing your doctor for preventive care.
Work up to at least 30 minutes of moderate activity - like a brisk walk - daily. Exercise helps lower estrogen and insulin levels, boosts the immune system and fights obesity. If you are overweight, losing the extra pounds can both decrease your cancer risk and give you extra energy and a boost of confidence. The Life Center® can help you develop healthy habits to look great, feel great and prevent disease.
Eating healthy, vitamin-rich foods not only help prevent cancer, they help you look and feel better, too. Strive to get at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Switch to whole-grain cereals, bread and pasta and eat fewer high-fat foods and concentrated sweets. You should also supplement your diet with a multivitamin that contains folate, and get plenty of calcium. Your body needs 1000 mg of calcium a day. Get it from calcium tablets or from low-fat dairy products, leafy greens like spinach or kale and fortified fruit juices.
If you don't smoke, good for you. Don't start. Smoking increases your risk for lots of health problems, not just cancer. If you do smoke, see your doctor for help in quitting. Our QuitSmart™ Smoking Cessation Program can also give you the tools to quit. The good news is that within five years of quitting your risk for developing smoking-related diseases decreases.
Moderation is key. Alcohol consumption increases your cancer risk. In general, the more alcohol you consume, the higher your risk. If you do drink alcohol, do so in moderation - less than one drink per day.
A healthy lifestyle is more than physical. Be sure to enjoy yourself. Do things that make you happy and relieve stress, whether it's taking time to exercise, relaxing with a book or having lunch with a friend. Remember to take time for your spiritual well-being as well.
Be sure to get regular breast exams. Women ages 20-39 should have a clinical exam every three years and women 40 and up should have a clinical breast exam and a mammogram (PDF) every year. You should also see your doctor for regular check-ups and perform a breast self-exam monthly.
