Let's face it. There is no surefire way to prevent breast cancer. There are, however, ways you can reduce your risk. There are five things that are in your control to make this reduction in risk.
- Exercise: Committing to an exercise plan as simple as walking briskly four hours a week can significantly reduce your chance of developing breast cancer. It is believed that exercise can reduce a woman's exposure to ovarian hormones that cause breast cancer. Exercise works to reduce risk even if the avid walker does not lose weight.
- Maintain normal weight: Obesity is a factor in many types of cancer, including breast cancer. Studies suggest that post-menopausal women who lose 20 pounds decrease their risk as well. Even if you are "normal weight," exercising regularly (see #1) will reduce your risk even more by exercising regularly.
- Limit alcohol intake: Recent studies indicate that alcohol consumption, including the much touted "healthy" red wine, increases a woman's risk of developing the disease. Women who drink one to two servings of alcohol a day increase their risk by 10 percent and women who drink three servings increase their risk by 30 percent.
- Eat fiber: Eating 30 grams of fiber a day can reduce risk of pre-menopausal woman for developing the disease. Go whole grains!
- Red meat: Consuming 1.5 servings of red meat daily can significantly increase a woman's risk for breast cancer. Moderation with red meat, just as with alcohol, is key.
APC
Passionata
Miss Selfridge
Cancer seems to be coming up everywhere i look.. im soo careful now.. i eat better and work out.. and do everything i can to take care of me.. this is something that's really kinda scary!
1I always love these what to do things because if people truly knew what caused cancer there'd be no cancer. And every week there' contradictory finding coming out saying to do something else.
So 1 & 2 check except that my aunt who had breast cancer was super skinny (underweight)while my obese aunts have no cancers at all. Hmmm, but ok.
3. Can't, won't not interested.
4. defintitely, WGs are the only way to.
5. Hmm...skipping comment as to not inflame certain people who believe anything.
How come no mention of regular health check ups, genetic screening for the breast cancer gene (which is available but pretty much locks you out of getting health insurance in the future). Oh and don't forget environment - there's the infamous Marin/Napa Valley/Sonoma cluster. Those women exercise, eat healthy diets etc but were getting breast cancer in record numbers - the common factor where they lived.
And there's nothing you can do about genetics.
2I think it's pretty simple when it comes down to it: live a healthy lifestyle.
While I realize the healthiest of the healthy can still get it, a 30% chance increase when you drink too much?? I was a regular drinker of red wine (more than a glass a day) and for October I'm going with next to none. 30% is just too much of a hike. I am going to try to stick with it. And, at least some walking, and no red meat? That's easy. Boosting veggies should be on the list too.
3The bullet points are not parallel. Number five should be limit red meat. The way the points are set up now suggests eating red meat because the other points are positive things to do. If someone were to mistakenly just read the bold print, that would not be good.
4Hmm that's interesting
5I have no family history of breast cancer, I work out religiously and eat a ton of fruits and veggies. I also maintain my weight and I'm not overfat. I do drink a beer or mixed drink every day, but I don't binge drink or anything. I think the main thing is to really up your antioxidant consumption. Protecting your DNA keeps it from mutating and causing cancer.
6hooray fiber!
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