Breast Cancerreducing Your Risk - Chapter 6 Breast Cancer Whos At Risk: Cancer

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Breast cancer-Reducing your risk

Although you can't control risk factors such as your gender, age, or family history, you can make some general lifestyle choices that may help reduce your risk of breast cancer - and other cancers as well. Because there is no sure-fire way to prevent breast cancer, you should also undergo regular screenings to detect the disease as early as possible should it develop. This will increase your chances of survival. Moreover, should you develop breast cancer, being in good overall health can help you beat the disease. Here are some positive steps you can take:

• Eat a balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables.

• If you drink alcohol daily, talk with your doctor about whether you should reduce your consumption. Even if you drink just a little alcohol, be sure to get the recommended amount of folic acid daily. Since folic acid can neutralize some of the increased breast cancer risk from alcohol, consider taking a daily multivitamin as insurance.

• If you are taking or considering hormone therapy, ask your doctor to help you evaluate your risk level.

• Avoid gaining weight, particularly if you have passed menopause.

• If you are a woman over age 40, be sure to have an annual mammogram and an annual clinical breast exam, and perform monthly breast self-exams.

• If you are a woman between ages 20 and 39, have a clinical breast exam at least once every three years. Consider performing periodic breast self-exams.

• If you are a post-menopausal woman at higher than average risk for breast cancer, consider selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as tamoxifen and raloxifene. These drugs, which block estrogen from binding to cells, have been shown to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer.

Last updated:	May 01, 2008