Top 10 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in American women and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women, second only to lung cancer. Research shows that 13% of all women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Although, no one knows the exact causes of breast cancer, but by educating yourself and taking control of some lifestyle factors, you can lower your risk of developing breast cancer.

Here are 10 simple things you can take to reduce your risk of breast cancer:

1. Eat a Healthy Diet


Eating well is also important to improve your health and reduce your cancer risk. Take a good hard look at what you typically eat each day and incorporate the following suggestions to build a healthy diet plan for yourself:


- Add more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet. These foods are rich in antioxidants which help to prevent cell damage associated with cancer development.
- Processed and red meats: Cutting back on processed meats like hot dogs, bologna, and luncheon meat, and red meats like beef, pork and lamb may help reduce the risk of colon and prostate cancers. These foods are also high in saturated fat, so eating less of them and eating them less often will also help you lower your risk of heart disease.
- Consider avoiding alcohol. Moderate drinking can help protect against heart disease. Unfortunately, studies also show that regular and modest amounts of alcohol can raise your estrogen levels. Even one drink a day can expose breast tissue to higher hormone levels. Since some breast tumors are estrogen-sensitive, alcohol can increase the risk that the cells in that tissue will become cancerous. Limit your intake to lower your risk


2. Maintain your body weight


Maintaining a healthy weight is important to reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. Research shows that being overweight or obese increases your risk for breast cancer. But don’t try to be size zero. Being very thin prior to the menopause or under 50 is also linked to increased breast-cancer risk. It makes your breasts more dense – and dense breasts have a fourfold higher breast-cancer risk. It makes sense to maintain a healthy weight for your height.


3. Regular exercise


Some recent studies have found a small relationship between moderate exercise and decreased risk of breast cancer. Exercising regularly can help combat obesity as well which further lowers cancer risk. Aerobic exercises, such as swimming, brisk walking, jogging, and playing tennis are best bets as they are easy and enjoyable. Try to get 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week.

Women's Health Care: Crucial Improvements In The Treatment Of The Issues

It is important that women keep themselves up to date with the latest advances in women's health. Keeping themselves well versed with all the information and services that are currently available. Advances in our knowledge of women's health has shown us now that women and men differ greatly on physiological basis and therefore need to be looked at different when considering treatments.

Our attention should be drawn to the primary areas of concern for all women such as reproductive health, heart disease, female cancers and diet.