Breast Cancer Prevention Tips

Breast Cancer Prevention Tips

According to statistics from The American Cancer Society, an estimated 281,550 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2021 in U.S. women.  Breast cancer develops within the cells of the breasts or in the tissues surrounding the breasts. While breast cancer may develop in both men and women, it’s more prevalent in women. While many cases of breast cancer are genetic (meaning patients carry a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 or HER2), however, many lifestyle factors can also impact breast cancer development.
For instance, the following lifestyle tips can help reduce the risk of breast cancer

1. Stay physically active
Exercise can reduce your risk of just about any form of cancer, including breast cancer. Healthy adults need at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. Your routine needs to include aerobic exercise and strength training. You should also do a mix of vigorous and moderate exercise

2. Don’t smoke
Smoking can raise your risk of breast cancer. Keep in mind that even if you do not smoke, you are still putting your health at risk if you are exposed to secondhand smoke. Furthermore, smoking can make breast cancer treatments less effective

3. Moderate alcohol usage
Excess alcohol consumption is a breast cancer risk. In fact, studies have shown that even if you only drink small amounts of alcohol, you are still more likely to develop breast cancer compared to those who don’t consume alcohol. That is why health experts recommend keeping drinking to one alcoholic beverage per day

4. Control your weight
Obesity is another breast cancer risk factor. Excess fat can raise your estrogen levels. If you have higher estrogen levels, then you will be more likely to develop breast cancer. Consult with your doctor about things that you can do in order to safely manage your weight. In most cases, people can lose weight by increasing their activity level and reducing the amount of food that they consume

5. Limit hormone therapy
Many women undergo hormone replacement therapy after menopause. It can alleviate some of the unpleasant symptoms that you are experiencing. However, this can increase the risk of breast cancer. Ask your doctor about other treatments that you can use to help manage your symptoms long-term

6. Avoid exposure to pollution and radiation
Pollution and radiation can make you more susceptible to developing breast cancer. There are several ways that you can minimize your exposure to both. If you work around radiation, then you will need to wear the appropriate protective equipment. You should also be cautious about getting x-rays. Medical imaging is an important diagnostic tool. It can give the healthcare provider important information about your health. However, you need to talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits. You can reduce your exposure to pollution by choosing your routes carefully. There are areas that are more polluted than others. You should also avoid wood fires. Additionally, you can use an air purifier in your home

Treatment for breast cancer is much more successful when the disease is caught in the early stages. Doctors may prescribe a combination of treatments for breast cancer such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and breast cancer medications (i.e., Neulasta). While medications may be expensive, Neulasta price RX coupons can be found online to reduce costs.