October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I have seen everyone from NFL players to movie stars sporting pink to support this very important cause. Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer for women in the United States after skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS)the chances of a woman having invasive breast cancer at some point in her life is around 1 in 8 and the chances of a woman dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 35. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month I would like to share some information on ways you can decrease your risk today.
- Eat healthy – Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in processed and red meats has been shown to decrease risk of developing breast cancer. Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants which inhibit dietary carcinogens know to promote breast cancer. The results of epidemiological studies also suggest a link between eating whole grains and a decreased risk of breast cancer.
- Maintain a healthy weight – Hormones are known to play a key role in breast cancer development. Since obesity directly affects hormone levels, it is believed that gaining weight in adulthood (especially for postmenopausal women) could increase your breast cancer risk. One study found a 1 ½ times greater risk in women who gained 55 pounds or more after age 18 compared to women who maintained their weight.
- Exercise regularly – We all know that exercise is important for maintaining a healthy weight and helping to prevent chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and depression (just to name a few). When it comes to exercise and breast cancer, consistency seems to be the key. Many studies have shown a link between physical activity and decreased risk of breast cancer, with the lowest risk in those populations who exercised on a regular basis throughout adolescence and adulthood.
- Limit alcohol intake – The link between alcohol consumption and increased risk for breast cancer has been well established, although the exact mechanism is still unknown. Some believe drinking alcohol leads to increased estrogen in the body because alcohol impacts the way estrogen is metabolized. What we know for sure is that risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. The American Cancer Society reports that those who have 2 to 5 drinks daily have a 1 ½ times greater risk of developing breast cancer than those who drink no alcohol. They also recommend that women limit their consumption of alcohol to no more than one drink a day (5 oz of wine, 12 oz of beer or a mixed drink with 1.5 oz of liquor).
Education and early detection play a key role in preventing and treating this disease. While there are some risk factors we can’t control like age, gender and genetic predisposition, there are other controllable lifestyle factors that play a key role in breast cancer prevention. I urge you to share this important information with all the women you care about. You may just be helping to save their life.
- Lauren
For more information on Breast Cancer Awareness check out the following websites:
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
National Breast Cancer Foundation
Labels: Breast Cancer, Health, healthy tips, Lauren
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Always good to remind all of these very important points!