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Breast > A Guide to Health, Wellness and Preventative Care
A Guide to Health, Wellness and Preventative Care
When it comes to lowering your risk of developing breast cancer, it’s critical to pursue an active lifestyle. Follow these simple tips for a healthy life that will give you the best chance against breast cancer. When it comes to lowering your risk of developing breast cancer, it’s critical to pursue an active lifestyle. Follow these simple tips for a healthy life that will give you the best chance against breast cancer.
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Nutrition and Physical Activity
- Be physically active: Physical activity is one of the most important tools to cancer prevention. Exercise does not have to mean hours spent in the gym, though. Simple activities such as walking, dancing or even gardening on a regular basis can contribute to your overall health.
- Follow a healthy diet: A healthy, well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and low in fat is essential to staying well. Choose your fats wisely. Diets high in red meats, processed meats and animal fats may lead to an increase risk for breast cancer in women.
- Maintain a healthy body weight: Obesity may increase a woman’s estrogen levels, making her more likely to develop breast cancer. Choosing smaller portions and following a healthy diet is one tool to maintaining body weight.
Limit Alcohol Consumption and Tobacco Use
- Moderation is key: More than two drinks a day may increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer.
- Quit tobacco: Avoid smoking or using tobacco products, as they may increase the risk for developing cancer.
Stress Management
- Depression: Monitoring your mental health is just as important as your physical health. It’s important to pursue professional help whenever depression starts to impact your life.
- Sleep: Getting enough sleep is imperative to stress management and overall health. It’s important to establish regular sleep patterns in order to promote wellness. Disconnecting from technology before bed is another way to getting more sleep and avoiding stress.
Genetics
- Genetic testing for cancer: Women with a strong family history of breast cancer are two to three times more likely to develop the disease. Genetic testing for different types of cancer is a useful preventative measure. Genomic testing can identify specific genetic changes that cause cancer cells to grow and multiply in the DNA of cells. Talk to your doctor about whether genomic testing may be right for you.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Consult your doctor: Past studies found that hormone therapy could lead to an increased risk of breast cancer. However, more recent studies have found that hormone replacement therapy may be a good choice for certain women depending on their personal history and risk factors. Consult with your doctor to see if HRT is right for you.
Preventative Care
- Routine screening tests: Routine tests can aid in early detection and can have a significant impact on cancer treatment. Women in their 20s and 30s should get routine pelvic exams, pap smears and clinical breast exams. Starting at age 40, women should receive annual mammograms. Consult with your doctor to ensure that you are receiving all of the necessary screening tests.
*Remember that your given health situation may call for more frequent exams. There is no substitute for a doctor’s evaluation.
