Concerned about breast cancer prevention? How to prevent breast cancer? Take charge by making changes, such as eating healthy and getting regular screenings. This article explores breast cancer tips that can help prevent severity.
You have probably heard conflicting research evidence about the prevention of breast cancer. What is known about breast cancer is still evolving. However, it is well accepted that your chances of breast cancer are affected by the lifestyle choices you make. So, if you are worried about breast cancer prevention, believe in the fact that some simple lifestyle changes can make a huge difference. But before exploring the useful breast cancer tips, let’s get an understanding of breast cancer.
Understanding breast cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers that affects women. It develops when breast cells mutate and become cancerous, then multiply and progress to tumours. Cancer of the breast typically develops in women aged 50 and older, but the condition can also occur in men and women who are younger than 50. Healthcare professionals may treat breast cancer with the help of surgery to remove tumours or treatment to destroy cancerous cells. Data suggest that about 80% of breast cancers are invasive, which means a tumour may spread from your breast to other areas of your body. According to healthcare experts, breast cancer develops when breast cells undergo changes and become cancerous cells that divide and multiply to form tumours. However, it is still not known what triggers that change. But research suggests several risk factors that may increase the chances of breast cancer. These include:
Age – Being 50 or older
Gender – Females are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than males.
Genetics – Data revealed that up to 15% of people who have breast cancer develop the disease because they have inherited genetic mutations. The most observed genetic mutations involve the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Family history – If your parents, siblings, or other close relatives have breast cancer, then you may be more likely to develop the condition.
Smoking – Tobacco smoke has been associated with many different types of cancer, including breast cancer.
Consumption of alcohol – According to research studies, drinking beverages containing alcohol may increase the risk of breast cancer.
Hormone replacement therapy – People who undergo hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tend to have a high risk of being diagnosed with the condition.
Radiation therapy – If you have previously undergone radiation therapy, especially to your head, neck or chest, your chances of developing breast cancer increase.
Breast cancer symptoms
Breast cancer can affect you in many different ways. Some symptoms are very distinctive, while others may appear as breast-like areas that look very different from other areas. If you have breast cancer, you may not have noticeable symptoms. But when it does, symptoms may include the following:
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- A noticeable change in the shape and size of your breasts.
- Development of a lump which may feel the size of a pea.
- A lump in or around your breast or in your underarm.
- A change in the appearance of your skin on your breast or nipple. Your skin may appear dimpled, scaly or inflamed. It may appear red, purple, or darker than other parts of your skin.
- Hardened skin area that feels like marble.
- Blood or bloody discharge from your nipple.
Prevention of breast cancer: Useful tips
As World Cancer Day (4th February) approaches, we would like to clear up any misconceptions and help in the prevention of breast cancer. World Cancer Day is celebrated to spread accurate information about cancer and raise awareness. The right information can help prevent, detect, and treat cancer. Here, we have highlighted some breast cancer prevention tips to help you reduce your chance of breast cancer development.
- Cut down on alcohol
It is believed that even small amounts of alcohol intake can increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer. Most of the doctors tell their patients to reduce consumption of beer, wine and hard liquor. A recent study has proven that drinking is the reason for 70% of the tumours known as hormone-sensitive. So, drink only two or three alcoholic drinks a week.
- Exercise at least three times per week
Most doctors tell patients to exercise regularly. Exercising is beneficial for keeping your heart rate above baseline for at least 20 minutes. Long walks are known to reduce the risk of breast cancer. However, vigorous exercise helps your heart and reduces your cancer risk.
- Maintain your body weight
As per the research conducted recently, overweight or obese people are at a higher risk of getting breast cancer. According to this study, obese and overweight women had lower survival rates and a higher chance of getting an aggressive disease than average-weight women.
- Go for a breast self-exam every 6 months
It is necessary to get a breast self-exam once every six months. Ask your doctor and get proper instructions to review your breasts regularly. There is always a higher chance that you will find a lump before a mammogram does. So, it is preferable to observe the changes in your body.
- Get a mammogram once a year after 40
It is preferable to catch a tumour in its early stages rather than curing it in its advanced stage. If you are 40 or older, you must have a mammogram once a year. This will help in detecting the tumour early, thus increasing the chance of survival. In the earliest stage of localised disease, the survival rate can be as high as 98%, whereas it drops to 27% in the distant stage (metastatic disease).
Takeaway!
There are many reasons for breast cancer, but proper treatment can help cure it. Following breast cancer prevention tips helps reduce the chances of cancer. Apart from giving instructions on the diet to maintain for cancer, doctors also prescribe certain medicines that create cancer-fighting elements to destroy cancer cells in the body.
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