Risk reduction means making choices to avoid or minimize any possible risk factors that you can. It also means increasing the protective factors in your life so your chances of developing breast cancer are lower.
Knowledge is power. Instead of living under the shadow of myths and misunderstandings, KNOW your own realistic level of risk. Then you can talk to your doctor about ways to lessen controllable risk factors and boost your protective factors.
ONE: STOP SMOKING. Research shows that smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Smoking can also increase complications from breast cancer treatment.
TWO: GET MORE EXERCISE. Research has shown that five hours of exercise a week may lower the risk of breast cancer. Over time, exercise may be able to lower the estrogen levels in your body.
THREE: MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT. Overweight women have an increased risk of getting breast cancer and being overweight can increase the risk of breast cancer coming back in women who have had the disease.
FOUR: REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE TO ESTROGEN. Prolonged exposure to estrogen can increase your risk for breast cancer. If your doctor advises estrogen, use the lowest dose possible.
FIVE: LIMIT ALCOHOL USE. If you enjoy alcoholic beverages, try to have fewer than five alcoholic drinks a week. Significant alcohol use is unhelathy for your liver, which helps regulate estrogen levels in your system.
SIX: LEARN ABOUT GOOD NUTRITION. Everything your body does - from healing a wound to fighting cancer cells - is affected by what you eat.
SEVEN: RELAX. Anything you can do to reduce your stress will have a major effect on your quality of life. New studies suggest that stress interventions may even strengthen the immune system.
