Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in the United States. Every year, more than 300,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed in women, with 62 the median age for diagnosis. Rarely, breast cancer is diagnosed in women under 45 and in men. Overall, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the lifetime risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer is about 13%.
Besides the risk factors that you cannot control, including your age, being born female, and inheriting a breast cancer gene, there are several things all women can do to lower their risk. These include:
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Keeping your weight stable and healthy is important. Extra weight, especially gained as an adult, can increase the risk of breast cancer.
- Stay Active: Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every week.
- Avoid or limit alcohol: Alcohol increases breast cancer risk.
- Consider breastfeeding: If possible, breast feed for at least several months after childbirth for the added benefit of reducing your risk of breast cancer.
- Post-Menopause? Talk to Your Doctor: Some treatments for menopause symptoms can increase breast cancer risk. Discuss non-hormonal options with your doctor.
- Family History? Get Tested: Get tested for the inherited genes for breast cancer if you have a strong family history of breast cancer.
- Consider Risk-Lowering Medications: Talk with your doctor about risk-lowering medications if you are at high genetic risk for breast cancer.
- Eat a Healthy Diet: Studies are underway to pinpoint a possible link between diet and breast cancer. Until a clear answer is found, having a healthy diet that is lower in processed meat and sugar and higher in vegetables, fruits, and dairy can help you be healthier.
Early detection is key to preventing death from breast cancer. Talk with your doctor about self and clinical breast exams, regular mammograms, and other testing according to your individual risk. Studies have shown that regular mammograms find cancers earlier and that women who have them are less likely to need aggressive cancer treatments.
Know your breast cancer risk, have your screenings, and work to be the heathiest version of you possible!
For more information, go to https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer