It is important to take notice that although preventive measures should be taken, they are not a sure shot way of being secure from getting breast cancer. However, when the body becomes fit and healthy, it has the capability to fight cancer or any other irregularities in the body. Therefore prevention is extremely important.
According to cancer treatment centers breast cancer is said to affect 1 out of every eight women, therefore the probability of getting breast cancer is very high. However, a few precautions and simple preventive steps will help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
- Self examination and regular mammograms: The first step is a very obvious step, yet most women do not take heed. The simplest step is to conduct self examination to check for any abnormalities in the breast and also go for regular mammograms that will help to detect cancer in early stage itself. This gives you a chance to an array of possible treatments. According to an Australian study, women who get a mammogram are at a 4% risk of developing and eventually dying from breast cancer whereas those who do not are at 56% risk of dying from breast cancer.
- Regular exercise: It is important to meet the recommended 150 minutes per week of exercise quota in order to stay healthy. Mere 30 minutes o moderate exercise can benefit you tremendously. Once you are accustomed to the regime, work to increase the time you exercise. The more you exercise, the more you stay healthy.
- Check your BMI: Current lifestyle constitutes of unhealthy eating habits which constitute of fast foods, processed foods and more non-vegetarian food. This causes your weight to go out of control, making your body vulnerable to breast cancer risk.
- Healthy lifestyle choices: as mentioned earlier, people indulge in unhealthy eating habits. It is time to make healthy choices. Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Avoid processed foods, instead opt for fresh food. Also rather than eating refined foods, choose whole grains which are full of nutrition.
- Limit alcohol: Make sure to limit your consumption of alcohol. Drinking increases the risk of breast cancer by 7%.
- Say no to hormone therapy: Many women use estrogen-progestin therapy for treatment of menopause, but this increases the risk of breast cancer by 26%. Unless there is a very strong reason, don’t indulge in pill- popping.
