Steps women can take to prevent breast cancer – Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman

Each year over 300,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, making it the most common form of cancer in women. Overall, it is the second most common cause of death from cancer in women exceeded only by lung cancer. There are a number of risk factors women should be aware of for breast cancer.

Aging: The aging process is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. Two-thirds of all cases of invasive breast cancer occur in women over the age of 55 years. Only 12.5% of cases occur in women below the age of 45 years. So as women age, the importance of regular breast self-examinations and mammograms increases in importance.

Family History: Having one first-degree female relative (mother, sister or daughter) with breast cancer doubles your risk for developing breast cancer. Having two first-degree female relatives with breast cancer increases your risk 5-fold. Around 5% to 10% of breast cancers are due to the inheritance of abnormal genes. These genes include BRCA1, BRCA2 and CHEK2. If you have a female relative with breast cancer you should ask them if they were tested for the presence of these genes.

Body Weight: Being overweight increases your risk for developing breast cancer. If you already have had breast cancer, it increases your risk of recurrence. The increased risk is especially seen after menopause. The excess fat cells make the hormone estrogen which can encourage breast cancers to develop and grow. Eating a plant-based, whole foods diet (consisting of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of processed foods) helps to decrease the risk of breast cancer. Also, there is a lower rate of breast cancer in countries where women consume lower fat diets.

Exercise: Exercising 35-60 minutes each day reduces the risk of breast cancer. Exercise also improves survival among women who have breast cancer. Consult with your medical provider and a physical trainer on how best to start an appropriate exercise program.

Alcohol: Consuming three alcoholic beverages per week increases the risk of breast cancer by 15%. Each additional drink added to this average increases the risk by another 10% e.g. 4 drinks per week is associated with a 25% increase in risk. Alcohol raises estrogen levels and can potentially damage DNA both of which contribute to the risk of cancer.

Smoking: This increases the risk of breast cancer especially among younger, pre-menopausal women. Even second-hand smoke exposure has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

Oral Contraceptive Use: Any use results in a 7% overall increase in risk. Current use causes a 24% increase in the risk of breast cancer. After a woman has been off the oral contraceptive for 10 years, the increased risk had resolved. Similarly the use of hormone replacement therapy also increases the risk of breast cancer due to the ongoing exposure of the breasts to estrogen. You should consult with your health care provider is you are considering hormone replacement therapy after menopause to assess the risks and benefits of this therapy.

Dr. Samuel Abbate has a practice in Wasilla.

See the original post:
Steps women can take to prevent breast cancer - Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman