Perhaps you know someone who has had breast cancer, or perhaps you have been diagnosed with breast cancer yourself. That’s because one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, making it one of the most common cancers in the United States.
Fortunately, early detection and new treatments have significantly improved breast cancer survival rates. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women at average risk for breast cancer should have a mammogram every two years between the ages of 40 and 74.
Depending on your family’s health history, your doctor may recommend other screening methods or recommend getting screened earlier or more often. Keeping in mind that young women as well as men can be diagnosed with breast cancer, contact your doctor immediately if you notice a lump, pain, or unusual change in the area.
Many factors contribute to cancer risk, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce your chances of developing cancer. Some of these healthy habits include:
• Be physically active. The American Cancer Society recommends at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can increase your risk of developing breast cancer, especially after menopause.
• Eat healthy. Focus on fruits and vegetables, lean meats, dairy products, and whole grains.
• Limit alcohol intake. The less you drink, the less you can reduce your risk of breast cancer.
The Care for Yourself program supports free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings for certain income-eligible women ages 21 to 64. For more information, visit the Iowa Health and Human Services website.
Natalie Peters is a community health educator with the Dallas County Department of Public Health.