AS OF YET, there is no sure way to prevent
breast cancer, the second-leading cause of
cancer deaths among women in this country.
Even so, there are clear steps women can
take to reduce their risk. And October, which
is nationally recognized as Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, is the ideal time to take
them.
“One key safeguard is for women to
maintain a healthy weight, especially in midlife
and later,” says Pamela Fletcher, clinical
educator at Sacred Heart Medical Center. After
menopause, most of the hormone estrogen in
a woman’s body comes from fat cells. Estrogen
can spur the growth of many breast tumors,
and being overweight or obese can raise
breast cancer risk. Women may be especially
vulnerable to breast cancer if extra pounds
settle on their waist, rather than their hips and
thighs.
These additional steps may help women
reduce their risk for breast cancer, according to
the American Cancer Society (ACS):
■■
Avoid alcohol.
Drinking is clearly tied to a
heightened risk of developing breast cancer. In
fact, your risk increases the more you drink.
■■
Be active.
A growing body of research
indicates that exercise lowers breast cancer
risk. Aim for 45 to 60 minutes of exercise at
least fve days a week.
■■
Carefully weigh the pros and cons of
hormone therapy.
Hormone therapy that
uses both estrogen and progesterone can
increase breast cancer risk in as few as two
years of use. The use of estrogen alone after
menopause seems to raise risk after 10 or more
October:
A good time to
consider breast health
years of use. If a woman and her doctor agree
that hormone therapy is necessary to ease
bothersome menopausal symptoms such as hot
fashes, it is best to take the lowest effective
dose for the shortest possible time.
Since breast cancer can develop even with
these precautions, the ACS advises women to
have yearly mammograms starting at age 40
and continuing for as long as they are in good
health.
Regular mammograms (breast x-rays)
can detect cancer in its early stages and
give women a head start on potentially
lifesaving treatment, Fletcher says. If you
have a heightened risk of breast cancer—for
example, if you have very dense breasts—ask
your doctor if you need additional screening
tests, such as an MRI scan.
Women’s health
Be part of
the Susan G.
Komen Race
for the Cure!
Turn to the
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learn more.
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