The rates of breast cancer are growing rapidly across the world! It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. And what’s surprising is breast cancer death rates have been common in women below 50 (since 2007).
Medical experts suggest that breast cancer is more common as a woman ages, and postmenopausal risks such as obesity and having children in later life also play a significant role. However, what is concerning is the young generation getting diagnosed with cancer. And surprisingly, the causes are unknown. Though you cannot really cure breast cancer, preventions can be taken to reduce the risk. Let’s talk more about it.
What Are the Risk Factors of Breast Cancer?
A risk factor increases your chances of getting diagnosed with a disease. However, it does not mean that you will surely get the disease. Risk factors of breast cancer can be broken down into two types:
Lifestyle-related risks
- Being overweight or obese
- Drinking alcohol
- Not having kids
- Not breastfeeding
- Breast implants
- Physically inactive
- Menopause hormone therapy
- Birth control
Unclear risk factors
- Smoking
- Various chemicals in the environment
- High-fat diets
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Breast Cancer Prevention: How to Reduce Your Risk?
Considering how unpredictable modern-day medical scenarios are, you might be concerned about developing breast cancer. Though risk factors like family history can’t be changed, you can adopt some prevention methods, including imaging tests and lifestyle changes.
Visit a Doctor and Get Imaging Done
The first and foremost step to preventing breast cancer is to be sure whether you have breast cancer or not. Even if you feel no symptoms at all, it is advised to get tests done every six months. The basic tests and procedures to detect the symptom of cancer include a breast exam by your doctor, mammogram, breast ultrasound, MRI, or biopsy.
If you think your case is urgent, you can take advantage of HA Referral Cases, where you just need a referral letter from your hospital authority, and you can get your tests done (MRI, mammogram, etc.) on a priority basis.
Lifestyle Changes
- Be Physically Active: Staying physically active can lower your risk of breast cancer. You do not necessarily need to hit the gym, but you can indulge in any form of physical activity that makes your heart beat faster.
- Control Alcohol Intake: Studies suggest that women who consumed alcohol at least three times a week were more likely to develop breast cancer than those who didn’t drink at all. Alcohol damages DNA in cells, promoting the secretion of estrogen and other hormones linked with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.
- Maintain Healthy Weight: If you’re underweight or overweight, you need to work on your body and maintain a healthy weight.
- Breastfeed If You Have a Child: During pregnancy and breastfeeding, you shed breast tissue which might help get rid of cells with DNA damage.
Final Thoughts
Breast cancer can be a challenging medical condition to cope with. Considering there are asymptomatic breast cancer cases, you must take proper prevention methods to ensure that you are not at risk.
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