How to Prevent Breast Cancer

With wrong lifestyle choices and increased exposure to environmental hazards, the risk of breast cancer in women has multiplied. No specific causes for breast cancer are known, but there are various risk factors that trigger the onset of this dreaded disease. However, many risk factors of breast cancer can be controlled by adhering to better lifestyle practices and limiting exposure to factors that cannot be modified. Read on to know the ways to reduce the risk of occurrence of breast cancer.

Limit your alcohol intake — A woman who drinks has higher chances of developing breast cancer than those who don’t drink. The more your alcohol consumption is, the higher you are at the risk of breast cancer. The chances of this deadly cancer can be ward-off by moderate consumption of alcohol, which is defined as one drink per day. If you are a tippler, better you take medical help to cut down your breast cancer risk.

Maintain healthy body weight — Obesity is a major risk factor of breast cancer. If you’re on the heavier side, you surely have stronger chances of developing breast cancer. Reduce your risk by maintaining your body weight within the appropriate weight range. The chances of breast cancer in obese women increase by two times, especially after menopause.

Workout Regularly — Doing regular exercises will surely help you to get rid of unwanted weight, but will also alleviate your breast cancer risk.  Doctors recommend 150 minutes of moderate activity in a week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. Your exercise trainer can guide ion the right kind of exercises for your body type.

Breastfeeding — Studies have shown that breastfeeding may decrease the risk of . The longer you breast feed, the higher will be your protection against breast cancer.

Discontinue Hormone Therapy — Studies have shown that a woman who is on hormone therapy from a long time has higher chances of developing breast cancer, particularly after menopause.

Avoid exposure to environmental hazards — Environmental pollution is another risk factor for breast cancer, however, further studies are required to discover the actual link between cancer and air pollution. Vehicle exhaust contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which is suspected to increase breast cancer risk.

The U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) suggested that a woman above 40 years must get mammography done in every one to two year as age is the biggest risk factor of breast cancer. A woman must also know how to self-examine her breast to identify breast cancer symptom to get timely treatment.