There is no sure way to safeguard against breast cancer, but prevention starts with healthy habits and changing risk factors that are under your control. Research shows that lifestyle changes can make an impact on reducing your risk of getting the disease, even in women that are considered high risk.
What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk of Breast Cancer?
To lower your risk:
Limit alcohol. Drinking alcohol is directly linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. The risk heightens with the amount of alcohol consumed. Women who have 1 alcoholic drink per day increase their risk by 7%-10%, while women who have 2-3 drinks per day increase their risk by 20% compared to non-drinkers.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese after menopause increases your risk of breast cancer. Having more fat tissue after menopause can raise estrogen levels, increasing your overall risk of getting the disease. Also, overweight women tend to have higher blood insulin levels, which is also linked to breast cancer, and other cancers as well.
Be physically active. Although they are not exactly sure how, evidence is growing to support that regular physical activity, especially in post-menopausal women, reduces the risk of breast cancer by the effects exercise has on body weight, inflammation, and hormones. In fact, the American Cancer Society recommends that adults get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week (or a combination of these).
Breastfeed, if you’re able to. Breastfeeding is linked with a slightly lower risk of breast cancer. Most likely because breastfeeding reduces the total number of lifetime menstrual cycles.
Limit hormone therapy after menopause. Combination hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer. Speak to your doctor about the risks and benefits of hormone therapy. You may be able to manage your symptoms with non-hormonal remedies and medications.
Fast Facts About Breast Cancer
- Each year in the United States, about 255,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease.
- Men also get breast cancer, but it is not very common.
- Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older, but breast cancer also affects younger women.
- Women who get regularly screened for breast cancer have a 47% lower risk of dying from the disease compared to those who don’t.
Breast Cancer and Chiropractic Care
While a chiropractor can’t treat cancer, chiropractic care can help alleviate some types of pain and discomfort that goes along with having breast cancer.
They can provide complementary care to help you manage some of your breast or other cancer treatment’s side effects, including:
- Muscle, back, shoulder, neck and joint pain.
- Pain associated with nerve damage or dysfunction (neuropathy).
- Spine, muscle or joint-related headaches.
Early Detection Is Key to Your Breast Health
Why do annual mammograms and self-checks matter? Thanks to new treatments and early detection, the five-year relative survival rate for women with breast cancer is about 90 percent. With screening and early detection, we can save lives. In fact, 40 percent of the lives saved by mammography are in women younger than 50. Women are encouraged to get their first mammogram at age 40, and annually thereafter. It’s important to remember that seventy-five percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history, so get yourself checked.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Chiropractor in Edison
A complete chiropractic plan of care helps patients become stronger, relieve stress, manage pain and enjoy the highest possible quality of life. Let our chiropractor in Edison help you achieve your health goals. Call Backsmart Wellness Center today at 732-661-1121.
