There is no exact way to ensure that you can prevent breast cancer, but there are several ways that you can minimize the chances of getting it, and more importantly, increase the chance of it being treated in time for you to get the best chance for a full recovery and not have the cancer return. There are a few ways in which you can lower your risk factors for breast cancer, mainly having to do with the foods you eat, the beverages that you drink, and your lifestyle in general. A few other ways to minimize risk that may surprise you how simple they really are.
However, the most important thing that you can do to prevent breast cancer from becoming a problem, and that is by getting regular checkups from your doctor, specifically for breast cancer. This is because patients whose breast cancer is in its preliminary stages have a hundred percent survival rate, based upon a five year tracking study. While some of the earlier stages are also very survivable, the best way to completely prevent breast cancer is to be checked regularly. There are a few other things that you can do as well.
- If you have a family history with breast cancer, you should ask your doctor what risks do you have of getting it too. Vary important are regular checkups for early detection.
- Drink a minimal amount of alcohol. Drinking alcohol regular, especially more than one drink per day, results in a much higher risk of developing breast cancer.
- Those that are overweight have a much higher risk of breast cancer as well and those that become obese late in life – after menopause for instance – are at an even greater risk. Along with a healthy diet to promote a healthy weight, you should exercise at 75 to 150 minutes a week, depending upon the activity level. Obviously, those that are overweight now should start out any exercise program slowly and anyone just starting to exercise should consult their doctor first.
- Breastfeeding is one of the main ways that you can prevent breast cancer. Breastfeeding causes a protection from cancer that has been shown in some studies.
- Another thing that you should avoid to prevent breast cancer is long term hormone therapy. For instance, you may be taking hormone therapy for menopause symptoms, but there are other options that are available that do not carry as high a risk for breast cancer, and there are ways that you may be able to manage the symptoms on your own. While this is not an extremely high risk activity short term, there is some research that long term hormone therapy may result in a higher risk of breast cancer in some patients.
- There may also be a link between breast cancer and pollution, such as smog in certain populated areas of the country. This theory needs more research, but some of the studies that have been conducted show links between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are found in some polluted areas and breast cancers.
There may be other ways that your doctor can inform you about to help prevent breast cancer, and new research is being conducted all the time. When you get regular checkups ask your doctor for new ways or new information on preventing breast cancer.