Several healthy lifestyle rules can be implemented to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
- Lifestyle measures can be put in place to take care of your breasts on a daily basis.
- Reducing your alcohol consumption helps to limit the risk of breast cancer.
- Carrying out regular screenings also makes it possible to detect an abnormality or breast cancer before the first symptoms appear.
Throughout the month of October, prevention actions against breast cancer take place. It is particularly advisable to regularly monitor the appearance of your chest, in order to identify any possible changes or the presence of a mass.
On a daily basis, several good habits also allow you to take care of your breasts. In an interview given at the Cleveland Clinic, Doctors Erin Roesch and Tiffany Onger, two American oncologists, have revealed six recommendations to apply to prevent the risks of breast cancer.
Pay attention to your diet
Diet is one of the keys to being healthy. Products high in added sugars and saturated fats or even fried foods significantly increase the risk of cancer. Alternatively, it is recommended to prepare colorful plates composed of seasonal fruits and vegetables, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (mackerel, herring, salmon, etc.) or cereals (oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa…).
“But don’t think you have to follow a strict diet that’s all juices and kale salads (…) It’s all about moderation. So you can eat red meat if you like that or eating a cookie straight out of the oven. It’s just a matter of limiting your consumption.”specifies Doctor Tiffany Onger.
Maintain your healthy weight
Overweight and obesity predispose to the development of other diseases and reduce quality of life. They are particularly associated with a risk of developing several cancers, in particular breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is therefore recommended to maintain your healthy weight.
Practicing physical activity
Combined with a balanced diet, regular physical activity could reduce the incidence of breast cancer. Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, strengthens the immune system and reduces estrogen and blood sugar levels. “It only takes 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week to make a difference”notes Doctor Erin Roesch.
Prohibit smoking
Tobacco consumption is a factor favoring the occurrence of many cancers. Indeed, cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemical substances, including 70 known carcinogens (benzene, arsenic, chromium, etc.), according to Ameli healththe Health Insurance platform. In addition to lung cancer, tobacco is therefore involved in the development of several cancers, including breast cancer.
Reduce your alcohol consumption
Two in three women are unaware that alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for breast cancer, according to the League against cancer. The higher it is, the greater the risk of developing this pathology. It is therefore better to pay attention and limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Perform regular screenings
Breast cancer screening allows early identification of a potential abnormality or cancer before symptoms appear. “This early detection increases the chances of cure: it allows 99 out of 100 women to be alive 5 years after diagnosis. Furthermore, cancers detected at an early stage generally require lighter and less aggressive treatments. , with fewer after-effects”underlines the National Cancer Instituter.
Every two years, patients aged 50 to 74 receive an invitation from their Primary Health Insurance Fund (CPAM) to perform a mammogram, associated with a clinical breast examination (observation and palpation). This exam aims to detect an abnormality or early signs of breast cancer.