Five Simple Lifestyle Changes To Prevent Breast Cancer

Highlights

Physical activity has the strongest reported effect on reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence and death.
Daily intake of more than 2 servings of cruciferous vegetables can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Regular visits to the dentists to check for gum disease can reduce the risk of periodontitis and breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer in women but is one of the most preventable cancer. October marks the Breast cancer awareness month, with the aim to increase and inform preventable steps for the disease.

Here are five simple ways which are part of everyday life but can prevent breast cancer:

Screening for Breast Cancer with Clinical Breast Examination
Clinical breast examination is a simple and inexpensive method of detecting breast cancer especially in women who do not have access to mammography.

‘Exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, taking good care of your teeth and gums can help prevent risk factors that can cause breast cancer.’

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Regular Exercise:

The recommended 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week guidance, as well as two to three weekly sessions of strength training, can help reduce the risk of breast cancer by 25-30%.

A review of recent evidence, carried out by Canadian researchers found that physical activity had the strongest reported effect on reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence and death.

Breast Cancer - Causes, Risks, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Staging, Treatment, Prevention & Prognosis
Breast cancer is a cancer that affects the breasts or mammary glands. Early detection and lifestyle changes help in controlling breast cancer.

Physical activity and exercise are preventative and rehabilitative measures that can be employed at various points along the breast cancer trajectory.

Munch on Those Fruits and Veggies

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention & Prognosis
Triple-negative breast cancers are ER negative, PR negative, and lack overexpression of HER-2. They are difficult to treat and are very aggressive.

Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of carotenoids, flavonoids, and glucosinolates, which are potentially protective against cancer.

Vegetable consumption was associated with a decreased risk of estrogen receptor-negative/progesterone receptor-negative breast cancer. Daily intake of more than 2 servings of vegetables, especially carrot, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, reduced the risk of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer - Prevention and Management with Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle choices may or may not cause breast cancer but healthy lifestyle changes can open up avenues beyond breast cancer. Good habits will allow one to fight breast cancer and to live with dignity.

Intake of fruits, except watermelons and apples, was inversely associated with breast cancer risk.

Check on the Type of Fat You Eat

Increased consumption of total fat and saturated fat were found to be positively associated with the development of breast cancer. Saturated fats rich in foods derived form animals such as butter, cheese, meat and meat products contribute to the risk of breast cancer.

On the other hand, omega-3 fats rich in olive oil, avocado and omega-6 fatty acids in nuts and fish can reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Regular Dental Check up

Periodontal disease is associated with increased prevalence of breast cancer. The risk of a woman developing breast cancer could be amplified by chronic gum disease. Disease in the gums, tissues and bones supporting the teeth due to a group of bacteria can increase the risk of breast cancer by 12%.

In a study done among 3000 women for a period of 16 years, it was found that women who reported that they had suffered from chronic gum disease or had lost teeth due to periodontal disease were found to be more than two times as likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer as compared to those who had healthy gums.

Brushing and flossing your teeth every day to remove the bacteria that cause gum disease. Visiting a dentist twice a year for a checkup, or more frequently in case of swollen gums, bleeding gums, loose teeth, sensitive teeth, bad breath can help detect periodontal disease.

Fiber up Your Meals

Whole grain cereals and products made from whole grains, lentils, kidney beans, fruits, leafy vegetables are rich in fiber. Including these foods in the daily diet can reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Fiber has the capacity to bind with excess cholesterol and eliminate them from the body. High levels of cholesterol are stored in the body and can cause cancer.

Young women who ate more fiber in early adulthood had a 12 to 19% lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who ate much less or no dietary fiber, and high fiber intake during teenage years was found to reduce the overall risk of breast cancer by 16% and cut the risk of premenopausal breast cancer by 24%.

Practicing these simple habits and incorporating in the daily routine can help maintain body weight, prevent weight gain, reduce fat accumulation in the body and thus reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Reference:

Postmenopausal Women With Gum Disease Seem to Have Higher Breast Cancer Risk - (http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/gum-disease-may-be-linked-to-higher-risk)
Deborah A. Boggs,* Julie R. Palmer, Lauren A. Wise, Donna Spiegelman, Meir J. Stampfer, Lucile L. Adams-Campbell, and Lynn Rosenberg. Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Relation to Risk of Breast Cancer in the Black Women’s Health Study, American Journal of Epidemiology(2011), doi: 10.1093/aje/kwq293.

Source-Medindia