How to Avoid Breast Cancer - What To Do In Your 20s, 30s, and 40s

Summarized by Robert W. Griffith, MD
October 10, 2006

We are very pleased to post this list of actions every woman can take at different stages of her life to try to reduce her risk of breast cancer to a minimum. Robert Griffith, Editor.

Introduction

Breast cancer touches millions of lives. It is expected that 211,200 women and 1,720 men in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and more than 41,000 people will die from breast cancer in 2006 alone. But, one by one, we can make a difference!

One thing you can do is take care of your own health. The Komen Foundation firmly believes that an individual is her own best health care advocate, and recommends that women and men become familiar with their own bodies by age 20. Here are a number of other steps you should be taking at different stages in your life in order to reduce your risk of breast cancer as far as possible.

In your 20s:

• Perform regular monthly breast self-examinations by age 20.
• Begin having clinical breast exams every three years beginning in your 20s.
• Begin familiarizing yourself with your family history and pay special attention to added risk factors for developing breast cancer, such as family members with breast cancer or obesity.
• Monitor your alcohol intake -- numerous studies have shown that high levels of alcohol intake probably increase the risk of breast cancer. If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation -- less than one drink a day.

In your 30s:

• Continue regular breast self-exams.
• Eat healthy -- for overall wellness and possibly to decrease the risk for developing breast cancer, it is recommended that women consume a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
• Begin an exercise regimen -- physical activity may help lower your risk from breast cancer. Exercise reduces estrogen levels, fights obesity, lowers insulin levels and boosts the function of immune system cells that attack tumors.

In your 40s:

• Start getting clinical breast examination by a medical professional annually and continue regular monthly breast self-examinations.
• Know the impact of different factors on breast cancer risk and pay special attention to those that affect you. See the first link below for an excellent listing of your risk factors.
• Maintain your weight -- the effect of adult weight on the risk of breast cancer is different among pre- and post-menopausal women. Before menopause, it appears that being somewhat overweight decreases a woman's risk of getting breast cancer. After menopause, being overweight increases the risk of the disease.

In conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Passionately Pink for the Cure ^TM is a new, year-round fundraising and education program launched by the Komen Foundation. It kicked off on October 1, 2006. You can learn more at http://www.komen.org

Source

• The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, http://www.komen.org

Related Links
Impact of Selected Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Breast Self-Exam
Breast Cancer Helpline

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