The One Thing Experts Say You Should Never, Ever Do if You Want To Lower Your Risk of Breast Cancer
Woman getting a breast exam
Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer among women in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with one in eight women likely to be impacted by the disease in their lifetimes. While the American Cancer Society reports promising progress in breast cancer treatment (a 43 percent reduction in breast cancer deaths since 1989), that doesn't mean you don't want to cover your bases and lower your breast cancer risk as much as you can.
In terms of breast cancer prevention, OB/GYNs and breast cancer specialists agree that there are several things you should avoid if you want to minimize your risk of breast cancer, but there's one major factor, above most others, to nix to keep yourself safe.
Related: The No. 1 Early Breast Cancer Sign Most People Miss, According to Oncologists
The One Thing Experts Say You Should Never, Ever Do if You Want To Lower Your Risk of Breast Cancer
The one thing you should never do is ignore a nagging feeling that something is wrong. Yes—even if a mammogram says you're fine.
"Even though mammograms are effective screening tools, they can be limited," Dr. Toma Omofoye, MD, Associate Professor in the Department of Breast Imaging at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, tells Parade. "Screening mammograms can miss up to 13 percent of breast cancers. If you feel something is off, request a diagnostic evaluation, which includes a more focused assessment of your concern."
According to Dr. Omofye, diagnostic evaluations offer more options and a less regimented approach than routine screenings. "Diagnostic evaluations can include mammograms, ultrasounds and/or MRIs and are more detailed investigations that focus on addressing a particular concern," she explained.
Related: New Research Indicates a Major Risk Factor for Breast Cancer
Dr. Caroline Goodchild, MD, OB-GYN at Axia Women's Health, says that it's important to educate yourself on your family history of breast cancer and other cancers and to discuss those with your provider. "With this information, you can determine what your best screening strategy will be, whether that is yearly mammograms or the addition of ultrasound or MRI," she said. "Advocate for yourself. If you feel that something isn’t right, speak up. There can often be a role for additional testing, or getting a specialist involved."
You should also make sure you don't forgo your regular self-exams, notes Dr. Tara Scott, MD, medical director, Forum Health Akron and founder of Revitalize at Forum Health, adding, "Most patients find their own lumps!"
Related: What Does a Breast Lump Actually Feel Like? Doctors Reveal What to Look For
What Are Other Ways To Lower Breast Cancer Risk?
First, let's rip off a particularly painful band-aid: "Many risk factors for breast cancer can't be avoided or changed, like age, reproductive history or family history," Dr. Goodchild says. "However, it’s important to focus on the things you can change. Making small or large lifestyle changes can significantly lower your risk."
Those lifestyle changes, according to Dr. Goodchild and Dr. Scott, can include:
Maintaining a healthy weight
Eliminating alcohol consumption or reducing alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day
Eating less processed foods
Eating less red meat
Eating more fiber
Eating more fish
Avoiding Bisphenol A chemicals (BPAs), commonly found in plastics
Getting your hormone levels checked
Related: 75 Breast Cancer Quotes to Inspire Healing and Celebrate Strength
All of our experts agreed that another major way to reduce your breast cancer risk is through exercise—and exercising may even help save your life even if you are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Dr. Scott cited a recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute: The study found that out of more than 1,300 women diagnosed with breast cancer, women who exercised at a moderate intensity for at least 2.5 hours per week before and after their cancer diagnosis were 55 percent less likely to have their cancer return and 68 percent less likely to die of the disease. Women who started exercising only after their breast cancer diagnosis were still 46 percent less likely to have a recurrence and 43 percent less likely to die of the disease.
With all of that in mind, don't forget to get your yearly mammogram and let your doctor know if you think something is off. Early detection is the best defense against a cancer diagnosis.
Next, Breast Cancer Survivor and Tribute Tattoo Ideas
