Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women that is continuously on the rise. As a consequent, women should take charge to lower the risk and protect themselves from breast cancer.
6 ways to reduce risk and proactively prevent breast cancer:
1. Annual Mammogram Check-upMonthly self-examination. The sooner you detect a lump, the sooner it can be treated right away. Moreover, women over 35 years of age, should get a mammogram by a specialist every 2 – 3 years and an annual mammogram when over 40 years old. If abnormality is found, you can get a treatment right away.
2. Keep a Healthy Weight
Body weight is linked to breast cancer. WHO reported that 1 in 5 or 1 in 3 breast cancer patients is correlative to being overweight. The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) also indicated that fat cells in menopausal women still produce hormones continuously so that may induce breast cancer growth. Women in this age group should keep a healthy weight, eat good proteins and reduce carbohydrates.
3. Keep Healthy Diet
Natural fibers from whole grains such as soy and flax seeds as well as fish meat can help prevent breast cancer. The recommended ratio is to eat 2/3 fruits and vegetables and limit meat to 1/3 of a meal. This is a perfect balance for your diet. Moreover, you should drink green and black tea as they have anti-oxidants which help protect from cancer formation.
4. Exercise Regularly
Exercise is good for your health and helps reduce cancer risk. Menopausal women should exercise regularly to reduce the risk of breast cancer. No need for high-impact exercise, you only need to walk fast to increase your heart rate.
5. Avoid Toxic Substances
Avoid any kind of poisons such as insecticide in vegetables and fruits or cigarettes and alcohol as they contribute to a higher risk of breast cancer. Choose good clean food and change any bad habit that brings toxicity to your body.
6. Vitamin Supplements Help Reduce Risk
A good supplement for women’s breast health is calcium D-glucarate which comes from calcium and glucaric acid that the body produces in minimal amount, but are abundant in vegetables, such as cabbages. Not only will it help reduce the risk of breast cancer, it can also help the liver efficiently get rid of excess estrogen. Please consult your physician for the recommended dose. Other vitamin supplements include vitamin D, C and multi-vitamins, but under your physician’s recommendation as well.
Because prevention is more effective than treatment, women should take charge and practice good habits to keep yourself far away from breast cancer as possible.
