Just for Her:
What you can do to prevent breast cancer
By Colleen Shannon, ARNP
Family Medicine
Smokey Point Family Medicine
(now Cascade Valley Smokey Point Clinic)
Much of what we read about breast cancer focuses on early detection since the best chances for survival are when this cancer is caught at an early stage. However, clinical studies are also being performed that explore ways of reducing the chance of developing breast cancer.
No one knows why some women develop breast cancer and others do not. However researchers have identified factors that may increase your risk of getting the disease.
For now, the best plan if you are a woman at average risk for breast cancer is to reduce your risk factors whenever possible. Some factors, like your age or race, can't be changed. Others are related to personal choices such as smoking, drinking, and diet. Some of these factors influence your risk more than others and your risk can change over time. The risks of developing most types of cancer can be reduced by changes in lifestyle.
Cancer cells develop because of damage to DNA. This substance is found in every cell and directs all its activities. While you may inherit damaged DNA, many times your DNA becomes damaged by exposure to something in your environment.
Evidence suggests that about one-third of the 500,000 cancer deaths that occur in the United States each year are due to dietary factors. Nutrients and nutritional factors in the diet can protect DNA from being damaged, and can delay or prevent the development of cancer even in people with an increased risk for the disease. The best advice to reduce the risk of breast cancer is to limit your intake of alcoholic beverages, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, be physically active, and avoid obesity.
Alcohol
It is recommended that you limit your consumption of alcohol, if you drink at all, to an average of one-half drink per day. If you have two to five drinks daily, you have about one and a half times the risk of women who drink no alcohol.
Obesity and high-fat diets
Although your ovaries produce most of your estrogen, fat tissue can change other hormones into estrogen. Having more fat tissue can increase your estrogen levels, and thus your likelihood of developing breast cancer. Most studies have found that breast cancer is less common in countries where the typical diet is low in total fat and saturated fat.
Physical inactivity
Recent studies show that strenuous exercise in your youth might provide life-long protection against breast cancer, and that even moderate physical activity as an adult can lower breast cancer risk.
Antioxidants
Certain nutrients in vegetables appear to protect the body against the oxygen-induced damage to tissue that occurs constantly as a result of normal metabolism. Because such damage is associated with increased cancer risk, antioxidant nutrients (from food sources not supplements) are thought to protect against cancer. Antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, carotenoids, and some other phytochemicals.
Fruits and Vegetables
The American Cancer Society believes the single most important dietary factor for lowering your risk for cancer is to eat five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
At your next annual exam, talk to your physician or health care provider about your individual risk factors and changes you might make to improve them.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. It should not replace a visit with your health care professional. Call your doctor if you need more information or have additional questions.