World Cancer Day 2020: Know how to bring down your risk of breast cancer

Today is World Cancer Day. On this occasion, let us see how you can reduce your risk of break cancer by taking a few preventive steps.

By: Jahnavi Sarma | | Published: February 4, 2020 11:18 am

Tags: Breast cancer risk World Cancer Day

If you have a family history of breast cancer, an oestrogen blocking drug may help you. @Shutterstock

Today is World Cancer Day. Today let us look at breast cancer prevention. Every woman has the fear of breast cancer hidden at the back of her head. If you’re too are concerned about developing this disease, you may also be thinking about what you can do to reduce your risk. Though you cannot do anything about some risks like genes, a few preventive measures can significantly bring down your risk. On World Cancer Day today, let us see how you can do just that.

Lose weight

Obesity is a leading cause of breast cancer. The risk becomes all the more high after you reach menopause. Try to maintain an ideal body weight. The best way to do this is by taking care of your diet. Have more balanced and nutritious meals. Add a lot of vegetables and fruits to your die. Avoid sugar and refined carbs. Stay away from fatty and processed foods. Be sure to include lean protein, like fish and chicken, to your diet and have red meat only once in a while.

Exercise

Regular exercise is important for overall health. It will also reduce your risk of cancer. Even if you start exercising later in life, it will still help you. The benefits are immediate and long lasting. In fact, it will bring down your risk by almost 10 per cent, according to experts. If it is difficult for you to take a regular regimen, just take a 30-minute walk every day. This will also help.

Avoid drinking

Alcohol intake increases your risk of breast cancer. Try to limit yourself to 1 drink a day if you have to. But abstinence is best. Binge drinking is an absolute no. Even if you drink once a week, try to stick to the 1 drink rule.

Avoid hormone replacement therapy

Many women go in for hormone therapy at the time of menopause. This unfortunately increases your risk of breast cancer. But if you have no other option, take to your doctor and avoid those that contain progesterone. Or at least limit their use to less than three years. Even ‘bioidentical hormones’, hormonal creams and gels are not safer alternative either.

Oestrogen-blocking drugs may help

If you have a family history of breast cancer, an oestrogen blocking drug may help you. This goes for women over the age of 60 too. Consult your doctor about this.

Breast-feed

It has been proved by various research that women who breast-feed their babies have a lesser risk of breast cancer. In fact, the longer you do it, the better it is.

Published : February 4, 2020 11:18 am

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