Preventing Breast Cancer
Affecting more than two million women in the United States and causing the deaths of more than 40,000 women in 2005 alone, breast cancer has risen from relative obscurity to become one of the main concerns of women’s health agencies. Second to lung cancer, breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the country.
Studies indicate that risk rates for women of developing breast cancer in their lifetime is 1 is to eight while death because of breast cancer is pegged at 1 is to 38. These figures are quite high considering that nothing much is known about the disease in the previous decades.
Its rapid increase in rate has prompted agencies and organizations especially those dealing with women issues to launch an informational campaign designed to educate women about breast cancer and how to prevent it… and it can be prevented. Below are some of the strategies that you can use.
1. Proper nutrition
Nothing beast eating right! Cliché as it is, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables help prevent cancer because of the beta-carotene, anti-oxidants and a whole lot more healthy chemicals that you can find in these foods. Antioxidants in particular can help in restoring damaged and affected tissues.
2. Exercise
Studies have actually shown that regular physical activity and exercise can increase our protection against breast cancer. It can also prevent the breast cancer or any form of caner from recurring when you do get it. This is because exercise can improve general blood and nutrient circulation as well as tone the muscles. In addition, it also helps in keeping our weight down to the normal range.
3. Don’t get too fat
As farfetched as it is, one’s weight can actually contribute in the development of breast cancer. This is because tumors, where the cancer actually begins thrive on the hormone Estrogen, which is stored by the fat cells of the body. In fact, when you eat high fat foods, your estrogen can go up.
4. No to Smoking
Cigarettes contain carcinogens that can be stored up in the breasts like what happens to the lungs. These carcinogens can develop into tumors later.
5. Drink in moderation
Like fatty foods, drinking alcoholic drinks can actually raise your body’s estrogen content. This as mentioned before can be bad news because tumor cells actually thrive in estrogen.
6. Regular check-ups
There is nothing like early detection. The soonest you know that you have breast cancer, the sooner you will be able to have it treated. Experts all agree that early treatment increases one’s chance of surviving the ordeal and preventing recurrence. Besides, treatment will also be a lot simpler for the initial stages of the problem. Why waste time and allow the cancer to spread to other parts pf your body?
Women who are beyond 40 are advised to get mammograms and have check-ups every year while those who are below 40 are requested to do the same every three years. Women in general are also requested to conduct daily self-examinations at home to check for lumps and bumps on the breast.
7. Breast cancer and pregnancy
Studies have shown the correlation of breastfeeding and giving birth early in the prevention of breast cancer in women. Having children before the age of 30 can reduce the risk of breast cancer. The same goes with women who have breastfed their babies.
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