Every fall, nature (and retailers) don a palette of gold, orange, and brown, but October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so you might notice a fair amount of pink thrown into the mix. I don’t know. But since cancer is the second leading cause of death in women and where early detection increases your chances of survival, it’s important to pay attention to preventive measures year-round.
live a healthy life
The first and easiest step to avoiding a cancer diagnosis is to pay close attention to your overall health and lifestyle. According to the American Cancer Society, 18% of all cancer cases are caused by the combined effects of excess weight, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet. So what changes can we make?
Keep your weight within your doctor’s recommended body mass index (BMI) standard, which is used to assess potential health risks.
Eliminate alcohol intake or limit it to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
Increase your weekly physical activity to include 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as walking or gardening, 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity such as swimming or jogging, or an equivalent combination of the two.
Make healthier food choices. A diet rich in whole fruits, fiber-rich vegetables, and whole-grain breads not only reduces your risk, but also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which is your goal through exercise.
Get your vitamin D. Studies have shown that getting enough vitamin D3 can also reduce your risk of breast cancer.
Always be aware of your hormone levels
There are many different types of breast cancer, but about 70% are sensitive to the hormones estrogen or progesterone. The cells of these types of cancer have receptor sites that bind estrogen/progesterone, promoting cell growth and the chance of metastasis. Factors that affect estrogen production include:
weight and activity level. Estrogen is produced not only in the ovaries but also in fat cells, so it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
menstrual cycle. Starting menstruation early or starting menopause later can increase your body’s natural exposure to estrogen, which can increase your risk.
Hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptives. Both may have medical benefits that outweigh the risks, but some dosage forms can increase your chance of developing breast cancer by up to 26%, so you should discuss alternatives with your health care provider. There is.
Pay attention to family medical history
Like other genetic diseases, breast cancer can be inherited by inheriting a mutated gene (BRCA) from both parents. Although rare, studies have shown that if you test positive for this gene, your risk increases from 12 percent to 72 percent. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force will test women who have a family history of breast, ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer to see if they may carry the gene. We recommend that you do so. A simple DNA test using a blood or saliva sample can provide answers within weeks, allowing you to consider preventative measures before a potential cancer develops.
Finally, be proactive
New drugs and treatments are dramatically increasing survival rates for breast cancer, but early detection is crucial and simple. By performing regular self-exams at home, you can notice changes in the shape, color, and size of your breasts. An annual checkup not only provides the testing and feedback needed to detect possible breast cancer, but also identifies several other health problems.
And finally, take advantage of medical screening options such as mammograms, ultrasounds, and medical resonance imaging (MRI). Mammograms are recommended for all women over the age of 40 and can be had sooner if problems arise. Mammography not only provides a detailed view of the health of your breasts, but it often provides peace of mind.
