New figures show that breast cancer is now the most common form of the disease among women across the globe. But statistics also indicates that nine out of ten of us are willing to make lifestyle changes to reduce our risk of the disease.The truth is, much research is still needed to explain and understand breast cancer - and its causes, risks and prevention fully. But there are certain steps every woman can take to help reduce their chances of developing this illness which is affecting many women and in some cases men in our society. The following are factors that can contribute to breast cancer;
- Being a Woman: Just being a woman is the biggest risk factor for developing breast cancer. Many cases which are have been recorded in connection to breast cancer are mostly associated to women hence being a woman makes one stand a chance of encountering this illness.
- Age: As with many other diseases, your risk of breast cancer goes up as you get older. About two out of three invasive breast cancers are found in women 55 or older.
- Family History: Women with close relatives who've been diagnosed with breast cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease. If you've had one first-degree female relative (sister, mother, daughter) diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk is doubled.
- Genetics: About 5% to 10% of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, caused by abnormal genes passed from parent to child.
- Certain Breast Changes: If you've been diagnosed with certain benign (not cancer) breast conditions, you may have a higher risk of breast cancer. There are several types of benign breast conditions that affect breast cancer risk
- Menstrual History: Women who started menstruating (having periods) younger than age 12 have a higher risk of breast cancer later in life. The same is true for women who go through menopause when they're older than 55.
- Low of Vitamin D Levels: Research suggests that women with low levels of vitamin D have a higher risk of breast cancer. Vitamin D may play a role in controlling normal breast cell growth and may be able to stop breast cancer cells from growing.
What can I do to reduce my risk of breast cancer?
Lifestyle changes have been shown in studies to decrease breast cancer risk even in high-risk women. The following are steps you can take to lower your risk:
- Limit alcohol. If one alcohol in-take is high, the greater your risk of developing breast cancer. The general recommendation is based on research on the effect of alcohol on breast cancer risk — is to limit yourself to less than 1 drink per day as even small amounts increase risk.
- Don't smoke. Accumulating evidence suggests a link between smoking and breast cancer risk, particularly in premenopausal women. In addition, not smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health if one wants to experience good and longer life.
- Control your weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer. This is especially true if obesity occurs later in life, particularly after menopause.
- Be physically active. Being physical active will help you maintain a healthy body weight, which, in turn, helps prevent breast cancer. For most healthy adults, it’s advisable to recommend at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity weekly, plus strength training at least twice a week.
- Breast-feed. Breast-feeding might play a role in breast cancer prevention. The longer you breast-feed, the greater the protective effect.
- Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy. Combination hormone therapy for more than three to five years increases one’s exposure to breast cancer. If you're taking hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms, it would be advisable to ask your doctor about other options. You might be able to manage your symptoms with nonhormonal therapies and medications. If you decide that the benefits of short-term hormone therapy outweigh the risks, use the lowest dose that works for you and continue to have your doctor monitor the length of time you are taking hormones.
- Avoid exposure to radiation and environmental pollution. Medical-imaging methods, such as computerized tomography, use high doses of radiation. While more studies are needed, some research suggests there’s a link between breast cancer and radiation exposure. Reduce your exposure by having such tests only when absolutely necessary.