What are the risk factors for breast cancer that you can change?
- Your Weight
- Having a Sedentary Lifestyle
- Your Alcohol Intake
- Hormone Replacement Therapy During Menopause
In the United States alone, there is a one out of eight chance for a woman to develop breast cancer. That’s why many have become more cautious in watching out for symptoms and early warning signs of this disease.
However, it is different for all females. There are a variety of risk factors for breast cancer, both controllable and uncontrollable. The following are factors beyond a woman’s control:
- Age
- Gender
- Family History
- Genetics
- Breast Density
There are still many factors that you can control for prevention. Keep reading to learn more!
Your Weight
The risk factor for breast cancer increases when older women are overweight or suffer from obesity, compared to those with healthier weights. Breast cancer is among the diseases that can worsen especially if a woman is overweight after menopause.
For women, the ovaries stop producing estrogen, the female sex hormone, after menopause so most estrogen ends up coming from fat tissue. When there is more fat present in your body, more estrogen will be produced. This hormone, while necessary for your body, may also end up feeding breast cancer cells, causing them to grow.
On top of the higher estrogen hormones, women who are overweight also tend to have higher blood insulin levels. This is another risk factor that is often linked to breast cancer, as well as diabetes.
You can reduce the risks by managing your weight. It can help to consult with a nutritionist or a dietitian. They can help you find the proper weight loss plan for you. For women above the age of 60, keeping a healthy weight helps lower the risk of breast cancer.
Aside from consulting with a nutritionist, you can also consult with your doctor about different physical activities you can engage in to help manage your weight loss.
Having a Sedentary Lifestyle
Today’s lifestyle revolves around long hours of sitting at desks doing work. However, many women may not know that a sedentary life can increase the risk of breast cancer. A sedentary lifestyle leads to weight gain and obesity, one of the disease’s biggest risk factors.
Reduce the risk of this lifestyle by finding different ways to stay active. Engaging in physical activities may help decrease the chances of obesity and breast cancer.
There are many activities you can incorporate into your daily routine to avoid being sedentary like brisk walking, running, and moderate-intensity exercises. Doctors from the American Cancer Society recommend about 150 to 300 minutes of moderate exercises weekly or 75 to 150 minutes of intense activity weekly.
Engaging in daily physical activity is not only good for reducing the risk of breast cancer but also for your overall personal health. If you’re making a drastic lifestyle change, you can consult with your doctor and ask for recommended activities before diving straight into intense exercises.
Your Alcohol Intake
Having an alcoholic drink is common among adults, both male and female. However, this can also be a risk factor for breast cancer.
When women drink too much alcohol, the levels of estrogen and other hormones linked to breast cancer go up. This can be the case if you drink three or more alcoholic drinks per week. The American Cancer Society conducted a study that showed that there is a 20% chance of breast cancer for women who enjoy two or three alcoholic drinks in a day.
Reduce the risk of breast cancer by becoming more aware of how much alcohol you consume. Women can moderate the alcohol they take in daily. This might mean reducing your alcoholic drinks to one per day. If you enjoy it regularly, you can also start by cutting down the times you take in alcohol weekly.
Hormone Replacement Therapy During Menopause
There are forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that raise the risk of breast cancer, especially when done after menopause and when taken for more than five years.
When using a combined HRT of both estrogen and progestogen, the risk of breast cancer increases compared to other types of HRT. The risk also increases when you undergo HRT for more years.
However, the risk varies from woman to woman. There are many factors to consider like age and when you started undergoing HRT therapy.
Aside from HRT, certain forms of oral contraceptives also raise the risk of breast cancer. These pills release very small amounts of hormones that are linked to the disease. Once you stop taking these, the risk goes down.
You can consult with your doctor regarding your concerns about this risk factor. Both HRT and oral contraceptive pills are used by many women to combat symptoms and other conditions they may have.
Key Takeaway
There are many risk factors for breast cancer. Some, you don’t have any control over, such as your gender and your family’s medical history. However, there are still several risk factors that you can manage, with some help. Reduce the risk of this disease by taking action as early as now.
At PERPETUAL HELP MEDICAL CENTER-LAS PINAS’ Women’s Healthcare and Diagnostic Center is established to provide health and medical services that are needed to ensure a woman’s overall health and well-being.
You can have an ultrasound and a mammogram done to get fast and quick results. Our experts and doctors can help you find the right treatment if you are experiencing early symptoms of breast cancer. Visit us now and book an appointment today.
