Breast Cancer Risk and Prevention Factors

Are you wondering what all those little pink ribbons you've been seeing mean? In case you didn't know, October is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so it provides everyone with thirty-one days of reminders to improve both lifestyle and knowledge that can aid in the prevention of this disease. Well-known celebrities such as Melissa Etheridge and Sheryl Crow have made public their personal bouts with this disease and brought more attention to prevention and finding a cure. Senator Hillary Clinton has even posted a question on Yahoo asking for suggestions on combating breast cancer.

Caucasian women are the highest group affected, but men can also develop breast cancer. An estimated 1700 men will be diagnosed this year while over 200,000 women are predicted to develop the disease in the US. Over a lifetime, about one in eight women have the possibility of getting breast cancer. The chances of dying from breast cancer are about one in thirty-three. Improvements in early detection over the past few years have helped fuel a decline in the death rate from this disease, but it is still the second leading cause of death among women, surpassed only by lung cancer.

Other uncontrollable risk factors, besides being female and Caucasian, include having a family history of breast cancer, starting your periods before the age of twelve, having menopause later in life (after age fifty-five), and aging in general. These are factors we have no control over, but there are several key areas that we can improve upon to decrease our risk.

Recent studies have shown that proper exercise and calorie intake are perhaps the most important defenses against breast cancer. Getting active, coupled with reducing your fat and sugar intake, are major steps towards a healthier life. Diet and weight are contributing factors in other types of cancers as well as heart disease, so it is difficult to determine the exact relationship to any one specific type of illness, but the benefits are there for all. If you aren't sure about the amount of calories you should be eating, the Mayo clinic has a great site to help you find out. Just visit www.mayoclinic.com/health/calorie-calculator/NU00598.

A diet that is high in mono-unsaturated fat, green vegetables such as broccoli, fresh fruits, soy products and limited caffeine is thought to have a significant effect on reducing breast cancer risk.

The amount of exercise needed for a significant reduction in risk is still being debated. Some studies suggest that as little as one hour and fifteen minutes to two and a half hours of brisk walking per week will reduce your chances of developing breast cancer. Overweight women in one study who didn't get at least three hours of some form of exercise per week were five times more likely to develop breast cancer. It doesn't have to be strenuous workouts or ten mile walks. Any form of activity, including vacuuming, yard work, chasing the dog/cat/kids or anything that keeps you up and moving can count towards your weekly exercise total. Exercise is also important in preventing arthritis related ailments and osteoporosis, but be sure to check with your doctor before you start any kind of exercise routine.

Another major risk factor that you can control and limit is alcohol intake. A woman's chances of getting breast cancer increase one and a half times if she has two to five alcoholic drinks per day.

Early detection is imperative, and women of all ages should perform monthly self exams, ideally a week to ten days after the end of each period. Breast cancer is caused when the cells of the breast begin to grow abnormally, usually starting in the ducts or glands in the breast. It then can spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. A tumor can grow so slowly that it could possibly take months before becoming large enough to be felt. This is why preventative screening is so vital.

Mammograms can detect tumors that are too small to be discovered by manual exams. It is widely recommended that women over age forty should have a yearly mammogram as well as a clinical breast exam performed by a doctor. Ultra sound imaging is another screening test that can be performed if needed. Most insurance plans cover a yearly mammogram, but if you don't have that luxury, check with your local hospital or clinic. Mobile mammography units are usually available in all but the smallest communities and provide a free yearly screening.

Whatever you do, do something. Eat healthier, take the stairs, get a mammogram or urge your mother/sister/daughter to have one. Every little bit counts towards saving a life. Think pink.