How Lifestyle Choices Can Affect Breast Cancer Risk

Did you know that some of the choices you make every day could lower your breast cancer risk? Breast cancer prevention starts with your lifestyle choices. While there are risk factors that you can’t avoid, like getting older, your genetics, or family history, there are risk factors that you can. One key factor to consider is alcohol consumption.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol increases your risk of developing breast cancer. Consider limiting your alcohol intake to reduce your breast cancer risk. It is recommended that women have no more than one drink a day to keep their risk as low as possible.

Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial in reducing your risk of breast cancer, especially as this risk increases after menopause. To manage your weight effectively, it's important to consult with your doctor and adopt a balanced diet. Consider following a Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. These dietary choices support weight management and contribute to overall well-being.

Activity

Regular physical activity has been shown to decrease your risk of developing breast cancer. Physical activity can also help you stay at a healthy weight, which helps prevent breast cancer. Some examples of good forms of activity are walking, running, or swimming. 

Hormone Therapy 

Hormone therapy after menopause, particularly treatments that combine estrogen and progestin, may elevate your risk of developing breast cancer. It's important to discuss the potential risks and benefits of hormone therapy with your doctor to make an informed decision.

By making mindful choices about your lifestyle, you can take proactive steps to reduce your breast cancer risk. Your lifestyle choices can make a much more significant impact on your breast cancer risk than you may think. Talk to your doctor and see how they recommend you decrease your risk factors. Your first steps begin today by making small changes that can help reduce your breast cancer risk.