Five Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer

Consider this:

• ⁠1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. 
• An estimated 281,500 women and 2,650 men are expected to receive a breast cancer diagnosis in 2021.
• About 43,600 women’s lives are expected to end due to breast cancer this year. 

The United States population in 2020 was 331 million people.

When we put the above into perspective, 284,150 people out of the 331 million people will hear “You have breast cancer” this year. Looking at the 284,150, it may seem like SO MANY PEOPLE. However, when we consider there are 331 million people in this country - less than 300,000 people end up with the diagnosis. 

Does this mean you shouldn’t try to prevent it? No, quite the contrary. 

The risk of breast cancer is still there for many people.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

Family History

A women’s risk of breast cancer almost doubles when a close relative, such as a mother, sister, or daughter has been diagnosed with it.

Pre-Menopause

Postmenopausal women have a much lower risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Risk increases by 3% every year a woman go without achieving menopause. This is why the medical community recommends mammograms at age 40. If a woman doesn’t reach menopause until age 55, she has a 30% higher chance of developing it compared to a woman who enters menopause at age 45.

Genetic Mutations

Inherited gene mutations - BRCA1 and BRCA2. Those with these gene mutations are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

Dense Breasts

Women who have dense breasts are at a higher risk for breast cancer.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy to the chest or breasts before age 30 can significantly increase breast cancer.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) with estrogen and progesterone used during menopause can increase breast cancer risk significantly.

Drinking Alcohol

Studies report women who drink more than one glass of alcohol a day increase their risk of breast cancer.

Obesity

Being overweight increases the risk of breast cancer.

The Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer

Breast cancer prevention is possible. The following are seven ways to prevent breast cancer.

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Since obesity can increase the risk of breast cancer, losing bodyweight and maintaining a healthy weight can help keep breast cancer from developing. This can be achieved with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and other lifestyle changes.

1. Avoid Hormone Replacement Therapy 

Review the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy with your health care provider before deciding it’s best for you. There may be alternative forms of treatment that can implement that will not increase your risk of breast cancer.

1. Limit Alcohol

Decreasing the amount of alcohol consumed a day or week can significantly decrease the chances of suffering from breast cancer.

1. Avoid Hormonal Birth Control Pills

Consider using non-hormonal birth control, especially if you have other risk factors, such as family history or BRCA1 or BRCA2. 

1. Seek Genetic Testing

Having the gene mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2 greatly increase risk, so getting ⁠genetic testing for breast cancer is a wise decision. 

Breast cancer genetic testing cost isn’t as expensive as you may imagine. Depending on the DNA test for breast cancer genetic testing you choose, you could walk away with information that may be much more valuable than the amount you spend on it. Plus, if you decide to have your DNA analyzed by Sequencing.com, you can receive the analysis for FREE. 

Everyone, even without a family history, should have genetic testing for breast cancer.

Early Detection and Prevention Is Key to Survival

Mammograms don’t prevent breast cancer. They identify breast cancer and when it is performed annually it’s a good way to detect it as early as possible.

Prevention is also key to survival. By following the above ways to prevent breast cancer, you can lower your chances of your mammogram results showing breast cancer development.

Mammograms and ⁠preventive measures for breast cancer can give you a knockout punch for this life-threatening disease.