Breast Cancer Prevention

By Laura Stewart

October is breast cancer prevention month so we thought we’d share some life-saving tips. There are some risk factors that you can’t prevent, such as gender, age and genetics, but here’s what you can do.

The best ways to bolster your breasts are to maintain a healthy weight, be physically active on a regular basis and make healthy food choices with a focus on plant-based foods.

Studies indicate that breast cancer is less common in countries where the diet is low in fat. Being overweight after menopause raises estrogen levels and increases breast cancer risk.

A Women’s Health Initiative study found that 75-150 minutes per week of brisk walking reduced a woman’s risk by 18%. That’s just 10-20 minutes a day.

Alcohol use is clearly linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Those who have 2-5 drinks daily have about 1.5 times the risk of women who don’t drink alcohol.

Avoid BPA found in plastics as well as environmental estrogens, such as placental extracts and benzophenones, which are found in cosmetics and personal care products including shampoos and conditioners, body lotions, lipstick, eye makeup and hand sanitizers. Bypass farms, golf courses, malls and resorts that spray estrogenic pesticides and choose organic food to avoid hormones in meat, eggs and dairy as well as pesticide-laden produce.

Studies suggest that night shift workers, such as nurses and police officers, have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Some researchers think the effect may be due to changes in melatonin levels, which are affected by the body’s exposure to light.

Even though you can’t change your gender, age or genetics, there are plenty of steps you can take to minimize your risk of breast cancer.