You’ll start noticing the fall colors taking over social media and wardrobes all over the place as the temperatures drop and fall foliage begins to appear. You won’t be able to avoid wearing pink this month, though, for a good reason. Now that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, everyone will be wearing pink in remembrance.
Breast cancer has a 99% five-year survival rate when detected early and treated effectively. These straightforward suggestions have been put together to encourage awareness, education, and lifestyle adjustments that put your health first to improve cancer prevention and early detection. Wearing pink alone won’t cut it this month. Share these suggestions with three women in your life to spread knowledge about early detection and prevention that can save lives.
- Limit your smoking and drinking
It’s pretty simple with this one. We have long known that smoking hurts health. Smoking can weaken the immune system, one of the body’s best cancer-fighting mechanisms, and harm or alter a cell’s DNA, promoting tumors’ development. Giving up is not always straightforward.
Alcohol consumption has been linked to breast and other cancers. After consumption, your body converts it into a chemical that can alter or damage a cell’s DNA, potentially promoting tumor development. Limit your alcohol intake to two daily drinks for men and one for women.
- Eat well to keep the scales from tipping
Adopt a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fatty foods, sugary drinks, and refined carbohydrates. Eat lean proteins like fish or chicken breast, and avoid or only eat red meat in moderation. Consume whole grains. Vegetable oils are preferable to animal fats.
- Steer clear of hormone replacement therapy
Breast cancer risk is increased by menopausal hormone replacement therapy. Avoid hormones containing progesterone if you must take them to treat menopausal symptoms, and use them for no longer than three years. In addition to being avoided, “bioidentical hormones” and hormonal creams and gels are no safer than prescription hormones.
- Get in shape
An association exists between regular physical activity and a lower risk of breast cancer. By taking part in the Hutchinson Center’s annual Climb to Fight Breast Cancer, you can scale some of the most breathtaking mountains on earth while helping to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research.
- Continue to be active
According to research, increasing physical activity lowers the risk of breast cancer by at least 10% overall, even if it is started later in life. This protective effect can be obtained with as little as five days of light exercises, such as a 30-minute walk.
- Avoid gaining too much weight
After menopause, when breast cancer is most common in women, obesity increases the risk of developing the disease. Keep from gaining weight over time and work to keep your body mass index at or below 25.
- Think about using an estrogen-blocking medication
Women over 60 or with a family history of breast cancer should discuss the benefits and drawbacks of estrogen-blocking medications like tamoxifen and raloxifene with their doctor.
- Continue to breastfeed your children as long as you can
Breast cancer risk is lower for women who exclusively breastfeed their children for at least a year.
