VALUABLE TIPS FOR BREAST CANCER PREVENTION

Breast cancer contributes to more cancer deaths in women every year. However, recent years have seen a lot of encouraging news regarding breast cancer. Better and better treatments are available, and we are more knowledgeable than ever about strategies to stop the disease. Even better, Hong Kong breast cancer screening is accessible and helps detect cancer early when it is treatable. You can minimize your breast cancer risk with the following tips. Not all these apply to all women, but they can make a significant difference.

Maintain a healthy weight

Don’t gain too much weight. Following menopause, when breast cancer most frequently manifests in women, obesity increases the risk of developing the disease. Keep your BMI at 25 or lower and avoid gaining weight over time.

Maintaining a healthy weight is a goal for everyone, but because it’s frequently mentioned, it’s simple to ignore. Being overweight, especially after menopause, can raise the risk of developing breast cancer, among other types of cancer.

Exercise regularly. 

Even if you start it now or later in life, research shows that increasing physical activity lowers the probability of getting breast cancer by at least 10% overall. The only requirement for achieving this protective effect is moderate activity, such as a daily 30-minute stroll. The benefits of regular aerobic exercise may be limited. 

According to research, women who engaged in frequent strenuous exercise had a lower risk of getting breast cancer than women who did not. Pre-menopausal, younger women have been the main subjects of this research. In addition, exercise can aid breast cancer patients in better tolerating the side effects of their medications and hastening their post-operative recovery. The chances of survival may also increase.

Eat healthily

To keep the scale from tipping, eat healthfully. Adopt a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in processed carbs, sugary drinks, and fatty foods. If you must consume red meat, do so rarely and stick to lean proteins like fish or chicken breast. Take whole grains and select vegetable oils instead of animal fats. 

It’s critical to remember that dietary changes cannot be relied upon to eliminate all other breast cancer risk factors. Even if they follow a healthy diet, women should take additional precautions like taking advantage of the Hong Kong breast cancer screening.

Limit Alcohol (Zero is Best)

The chance of developing breast cancer has been linked to alcohol intake. Women who consume two to four bottles of beer, two to more than five glasses of wine, or two to four shots of booze per day had a 41% higher risk of developing breast cancer. In light of this, moderating alcohol consumption is advisable. 

Even modest drinking levels can increase the risk of breast cancer, even if moderate drinking can benefit the heart in older persons. And given other alcohol-related hazards, abstaining from alcohol is generally the healthiest option.

Steer clear of hormone replacement therapy.

Postmenopausal hormone therapy raises the risk of breast cancer. Avoid progesterone-containing hormones and use them for no longer than three years if you must take hormones to treat menopausal symptoms. Additionally, “bioidentical hormones” and hormonal lotions and gels are no safer than pharmaceutical hormones, and you should also avoid them.

According to studies, hormone replacement therapy increases some diseases’ risk while lowering the risk of others. Therefore if at all, women should use menopausal hormone therapy for the least amount of time possible. The best person to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of menopausal hormone therapy with is your doctor.

Avoid birth control medications, especially if you are over 35 or smoke.

There are hazards and advantages to using birth control tablets. Lower dangers are present in younger women. Breast cancer risk is marginally elevated for women who use birth control tablets. However, this danger soon disappears once the medication is stopped. Heart attack and stroke risks also rise when taking the pills, especially if the user smokes. 

There are many things in favor of birth control pills. Still, long-term use can also have significant advantages, including lowering the incidence of ovarian, colon, and uterine cancer – not to mention unintended pregnancy. Avoiding birth control pills is one way to reduce risk if you’re particularly concerned about developing breast cancer.

If you can, breastfeed

Breastfeeding for a cumulative period of one year or longer (for all children) reduces the risk of breast cancer. For the child’s health, it provides enormous advantages as well. Get in touch with your pediatrician, hospital, or neighborhood health department for assistance or information on breastfeeding.

Quit smoking 

Research reveals that long-term smoking may increase some women’s risk of developing breast cancer. Smoking causes at least 15 cancers, including breast cancer, and numerous other adverse health effects. If you smoke, try to stop as soon as possible; receiving benefits is never too late. You can quit smoking.

For High-Risk Women, Tamoxifen with Raloxifene may help.

Taking the prescription medications tamoxifen and raloxifene can significantly reduce breast cancer incidence in women at high risk for the condition, despite not being widely regarded as a “good practice” in this regard.

These potent medications are FDA-approved for preventing breast cancer but can have adverse effects and aren’t suitable for everyone. Ask your doctor if tamoxifen or raloxifene may be appropriate for you if you believe you are at high risk.

Regularly undergo a mammogram and a physical examination. 

Women between the ages of 40 and 44 should have the option to begin yearly mammograms if they want. Women should receive mammograms every year starting at age 45 and continuing every one to two years until age 55. 

Some medical professionals advise starting routine mammography screening at age 50. Certain medical professionals recommend starting mammograms at age 40 or earlier, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer. When you should get your first mammogram is something you should discuss with your doctor. Thankfully programs such as the Hong Kong cancer fund go a long way in supporting breast cancer patients.