“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” – Anonymous
Although there isn’t a sure proof way to prevent breast cancer, there are some habits that can reduce your risk! In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take a look at 5 habits that can reduce your risk of breast cancer!
1. Limiting Alcohol Intake
There are numerous studies that show that alcohol increases your risk of breast cancer. Women who have 3 alcoholic beverages each week have a 15% increased risk of developing breast cancer and the risk increases by 10% for each drink above three. Reduce your alcohol intake to 1 drink and reduce your risk!
2. Reducing Use of Hormonal Birth Control
Birth control contains hormones that have been found to increase the risk of developing breast cancer. The good news is that after years of being off of birth control, the risk of developing breast cancer goes back to normal. Speak to your doctor about the best birth control method for you!
3. Adopt an Active Lifestyle
Various studies have shown that adopting an active lifestyle can reduce your risk of breast cancer by 12%. According to the National Cancer Institute, “women who increase their physical activity after menopause may also have a lower risk of breast cancer than women who do not.” The recommended amount of exercise is 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 1 hour and 15 minutes of high-intensity exercise each week.
4. Healthy Weight Maintenance
Being overweight has been shown to increase your risk of developing breast cancer. Interestingly enough, studies have shown that being heavier premenopausal and being heavier postmenopausal has different effects on breast cancer risks. According to Susan G. Komen, “women who are overweight or obese before menopause have a 20-40 percent lower risk of breast cancer than those who are lean.”
5. Not Smoking
Although research findings are mixed, there are various studies that have shown smoking and secondhand smoking to be linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer in women of a younger age.
Have you got your mammogram? Click here to find a list of clinics that perform low-cost or free breast cancer screenings!
