Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one type of carcinoma that continues to haunt the dreams of many women. While you cannot control certain breast cancer predisposing factors, such as:family history, aging etc.There are many factors which are under control and can be taken care of to lower your likelihood of getting breast cancer.
What can you do to reduce your risk of breast cancer? Read on to know some of the ways to prevent breast cancer…
REDUCING OR COMPLETELY STOPPING ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION:
The higher your consumption of alcohol, more are the chances of you developing breast cancer. Therefore, it is recommended to reduce your consumption to less than one drink per day.
QUIT SMOKING
Ways to include breast cancer include quitting smoking. Many studies have found a direct correlation between Breast Cancer and smoking. Smoking has been associated with many different types of Cancers like that of lungs as well as mouth. The risk of getting breast cancer is particularly higher in women after they have reached menopause.
MAINTAIN AN IDEAL BODY WEIGHT
Being obese increases your odds of getting breast cancer. Therefore, adopt healthy eating habits right from an early age. Cut out the foods that contain refined Sugar and empty calories and include more of nutrient dense foods in every meal you have.
Maintaining ideal body weight is important as fat tissue is responsible for production of Estrogen, especially after women have reached their menopause. Estrogen stimulates overgrowth of breasts and puts women at a greater risk of breast cancer.Try to eat a nutritious diet that is rich in: legumes, mixed nuts, fruits, veggies, whole grains. Also include lots of healthy fats like Olive oil, fishes and nut butters.
STAYING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE
Ways to prevent breast cancer surely includes adding 30 minutes of exercise to each day, something as simple as walking, dancing or swimming will help you maintain an ideal body weight. Needless of say, making ample physical activity a part of your daily routine can be the first step towards maintaining a healthy body. The department of Health and Human Services advocates 150 minutes of exercise per week including aerobic activity and strength training.
Exercise also helps to better the ratio of good estrogen to bad estrogen in your body. The bad estrogen which is responsible for damaging the cells decreases.
BREAST-FEEDING
Women who breastfeed for at least 6 months are at a lesser risk of getting breast cancer. Most women who breastfeed, do not get periods for the duration they are breastfeeding. This decreases the amount of estrogen a lady’s body is exposed to.
LIMIT DURATION OF HORMONAL THERAPY
Receiving hormone-replacement therapy for Estrogen and/or Progesterone after menopause for a duration greater than 3 years might increase your odds of getting breast cancer. Ask your daughter regarding non-hormonal therapies to manage your problem. If at all, you need hormone therapy, take it for the shortest time with the smallest possible dose.
DECREASED EXPOSURE TO RADIATION AND POLLUTION
Radiation exposure as a result of occupational hazard or even medical-imaging methods like computerized tomography might be responsible for increased chances of breast cancer. This is because ionizing radiation can lead to damage to the cellular DNA due to mutations.
SOME BIRTH CONTROL METHODS PREDISPOSE YOU TO BREAST CANCER
Hormonal contraception methods like oral contraceptive pills and hormone-releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs) might predispose women to a greater risk of breast cancer.
DO SELF-EXAMINATION REGULARLY
Do monthly self-examination of breasts and consult your doctor at once if you happen to notice changes in texture, appearance of skin or notice any lumps. Annual mammograms and screenings based on your personal and family history can be taken up.
So, this was a list of some ways to prevent breast cancer.
