Fighting Breast Cancer
Reducing Your Risk of Breast Cancer: Taking Charge of Breast Health
By Allison Pedersen RN, MN
The words “breast cancer” may trigger a range of responses including vulnerability, anxiety and uncertainty. Breast cancer has received increased attention due to the significant number of individuals who have been diagnosed with this disease. Most noteworthy however, is the fact that advances in treatments for breast cancer have contributed to an increase in overall survival rates of this very treatable disease.
Why are we witnessing an increase in the incidence of breast cancer? A possibility may be due to the improvements in screening methods thus, we are finding more breast cancers at treatable stages. Advances in breast cancer awareness, screening and treatment have contributed to the overall increase in breast cancer survivorship. There are a variety of treatments available for breast cancer, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and anti-hormonal therapies. It is valuable to know that numerous sub-types of breast cancer exist, which in turn, dictate disease aggressiveness, treatment options and overall survival.
There are some risk factors for breast cancer that cannot be changed, which include being a woman, getting older and one’s genetics. It is important to know that most breast cancer incidences are not hereditary, which really means that one can take steps toward reducing his or her risk of developing this disease. Some of the recommended lifestyle changes are as follows:
• Maintaining a healthy body weight, which may involve losing weight if overweight.
• Exercising regularly: using the stairs instead of the elevator and joining an exercise class with a friend are some exercise tips. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise per day. *(Do not overdo it; keep hydrated; listen to your body; see your family physician to discuss your exercise plans).
• Stop smoking.
• Choose healthy foods, which include foods low in saturated fats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low fat meats including fish and chicken. *(Be careful not to over consume; watch portion sizes and snacking options).
• Avoid alcohol.
Interestingly, studies have found that breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of developing breast cancer. The protective mechanism occurs most significantly in the breasts of women who breastfeed for one year thus, there is less benefit for women who choose to breastfeed for less than one year. There are a variety of thoughts regarding the rationale for this protective effect. For instance, while the breasts are making milk, a “differentiation” of the breast cells occurs that may provide some resistance against cancer cells. Also, while women are breastfeeding, their menstrual cycles often stop, resulting in an overall decrease in estrogen within the body. Notwithstanding the numerous benefits of breastfeeding,
