Ways To Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer

While there are risk factors over which you have no control (such as heredity and growing older), there are behaviors you can change to reduce your risk. Here are a few…

Quit Smoking Now

A recent study of over 116,000 women found that the breast cancer risk in active smokers was 30% higher than in those that did not smoke. For help in kicking the habit, contact the American Cancer Society or check out QuitNet.com online.

Watch Your Weight

If your body-mass index (BMI) is at 25 or higher, your risk could be elevated. Why? Extra fat tissue increases your body’s production of estrogen (a female hormone), which can spur abnormal breast-cell growth. Don’t know your body mass index? You can check yours at http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

Just say “No” to that Extra Drink

Although the occasional alcoholic drink (no more than one a day) does not affect your overall breast cancer risk, consuming more than that on a regular basis can interfere with your liver’s ability to properly regulate your body’s estrogen levels. In fact, drinking regularly can increase your risk by an estimated 15 to 30 %, so indulge responsibly.

Avoid Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

The World Health Organization in Geneva recently added HRT to its list of known carcinogens. Menopausal women should speak to their doctor about less risky alternative therapies, especially if symptoms are not severe.

*Source: Self Magazine, October, 2005