Breast Cancer: Reduce Your Risk

Posted by Nadine Bells

Statistically speaking, the average American woman (I'm assuming Canadians aren't far off) has a 1-in-9 chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. Some risk factors are beyond our control: age and genetics. Others, however, are not. Up for a lifestyle change? I am. Especially if it reduces my risk.

According to MSNBC, there are eight ways you can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer:

Watch the scale. "Women who become obese after menopause experience a 50 percent increase in their risk of developing cancer."

Get exercise. "Studies have shown that women who work out regularly — and vigorously — have a 20 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who rarely exercise."

Avoid alcohol. "One recent study found that even moderate drinking drove breast cancer rates up by 35 percent. Heavy drinking resulted in an almost two-fold increased risk."

Avoid hormone replacement therapy (HRT). "A Women's Health Initiative study found that women who had been taking a combination of estrogen and progesterone for five years experienced a 28 percent increase in the risk of developing breast cancer."

Add soy to your diet. "A recent study that followed more than 73,000 Chinese women for over seven years found that women with the highest levels of soy in their diets had a 60 percent lower risk of breast cancer compared to women who consumed little soy."

Eat your veggies. But you already knew that.

Drink green tea. "A recent study that looked at more than 2,000 Chinese women found that the risk of developing cancer dropped by 40 percent among women who consumed large amounts of green tea."

Quit smoking. Do it. NOW.

Read the entire article here. And start making changes today. Okay, I'm off to get some exercise now. No time like the present....

( Add your comments )

Recent Entries:
· The Pill's 50th Birthday
· Superwoman of the Day: Hungry Girl
· Breast Cancer: Reduce Your Risk

[ READER COMMENTS ]

Breast Cancer: Reduce Your Risk

Add your comments...

We kindly ask that you keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Abusive or inappropriate comments or comments that are specifically promotional in nature may be removed.