7 Ways To Reduce Your Risk Of Developing Breast Cancer

According to informationavailable on the Tata MemorialHospital’s website worldwide,breast cancer is the most commonof all cancersand is the leadingcause of cancerdeaths. In fact,a recent studyof breast cancerrisk in Indiarevealed thatone in 28 womendevelops breast cancerduring her lifetime.This is higher in urbanareas (one in22) compared torural areas, wherethe risk is lower atone in 60 women.But there is nosingle cause, says Lester Barr,breast cancer surgeon and chairmanof the UK-based charityGenesis Breast Cancer Prevention.“Breast cancer is caused bythe interplay of your genes, theenvironment you live in andlifestyle factors.” Inaddition to going formandatory screenings and tests,you can make lifestyle changesto lower your risk.1. Do house work: Expertssay that being active reduces awoman’s risk of breast cancer.Exercise reduces the numberof fat cells, which are responsiblefor the release of hormonessuch as oestrogen and testosterone.It is these fat cells thatare thought to encourage tumourgrowth. Eluned Hughes,head of public health at UK’sBreakthrough Breast Cancer,says, women should aim for 30minutes of moderate physicalactivity a day. This can reducebreast cancer risk by at least 20per cent. Anything that gets yourheart rate up and leaves you feelinga bit out of breath will do, sotackle every day chores like dustingthe house with gusto.2. Breastfeed your baby:Women who breast-feed for ayear over their lifetime, not necessarilycontinuously, are five percent less likely to develop breastcancer than those who don’tbreast-feed at all, an analysis ofcancer statistics by the WorldCancer Research Fund found.The longer a woman breastfeeds,the lower her chances ofgetting the disease. It’s thoughtthat breast-feeding lowers thelevels of cancer-related hormonesin the mother’s blood.When breast-feeding ends, thebody gets rid of damaged cellsthat could turn cancerous.3. Drink less booze: Regularlydrinking alcohol increasesyour risk of developing breastcancer and the more drinks youhave each day, the greater yourrisk will be,” says Highes. Trysimple measures to reduce howmuch you drink. Have one glassinstead of two, enjoy alcoholfreenights and drink fromsmaller wine glasses to reduceyour units.4. Curtail night shifts:Women who work at least threenight shifts a week for six yearsor more are twice as likely todevelop breast cancer, Danishresearchers claim. But more researchneeds to be done. UK’sHealth and Safety Executive hascommissioned a study that isdue to be published in 2015 andshould help find more answers.However, docs say it’s notclear if it’s the unhealthy behaviourcaused by working nightshifts, like eating poorly and beinginactive, that’s the possiblecause, rather than the shift workitself. Women, therefore, need tothink about their overall lifestyle,whatever hours they work.5. Reduce cholesterol:Women who take statins (drugsthat lower cholesterol levels) formore than a decade face doublingthe risk of developing invasiveductal carcinoma, or IDC,the most common type of breastcancer, according to the FredHutchinson Cancer ResearchCenter. While studies suggestthe short-term use of statins appearsto have a protective effectagainst breast cancer, in the longrun, statins may damage certainchemical pathways that lead tothe growth of tumours. However,do not stop taking statinswithout consulting the doctor.6. Avoid unhealthy chemicals:Don’t use canned foodand drinks and don’t microwavefood in plastic containers, warnsnutritionist, Conner Middelmann-Whitney. They containchemicals that behave like oestrogens,increasing breast cancerrisk. High temperature barbecuing,grilling or frying meat cantrigger the production of acrylamidethat also increase cancerrisk so try to cook meat gentlyand make an effort to avoid preservedmeats as well.7. Step out in the sun: Naturalsunlight is the best way ofincreasing stores of vitamin D,which can lower your risk ofbreast cancer, say Canadian researchers.Laboratory tests suggestbreast cells can convertvitamin D to a hormone thathas anti-cancer properties. Thisadvice should, however, be balancedagainst the risk of developingskin cancer from sun exposure.