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What advice do you give to patients about lowering the risk of breast cancer?

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Topics (Tags):

Reduce Breast Cancer Risk Breast Cancer Breast Cancer Risk Reduce Cancer Risk Cancer

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Reduce Breast Cancer Risk X Breast Cancer X Breast Cancer Risk X Reduce Cancer Risk X Cancer X

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Diseases:

Breast Cancer

Diseases:

Breast Cancer

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Answers (3)

HestiaHealth (Complementary Care Expert (Verified) ) - 02 / 05 / 2012

Many of the suggestions for lowering risk for breast cancer are the same recommendations I would give to lower the risk for most chronic illness. I like to speak in terms of creating the optimal healing environment in the body.
- Engage daily in moderate physical activity
- Avoid alcohol, transfats and processed foods
- Use stress reductions techniques often
- Have a positive mental outlook
- Detoxify your living environment, use less synthetic chemicals in your day to day life. Use products that are healthier for your body and the environment.

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StaceyVitielloMD (Physician - Radiology (Verified) ) - 02 / 07 / 2012

If you follow the news reports about breast cancer risk, it seems that recommendations change practically every day. However, there are a few lifestyle factors that I advise my patients to consider, since I believe there is enough scientific evidence to support them.
1. Exercise (brisk walking) 30 minutes per day at least 5 days per week led to a 20% decreased risk of breast cancer in the longstanding Women’s Health Initiative study.
2. Keep Body Mass Index (BMI) under 25. Being overweight increases the risk of breast cancer after menopause by 25%. Limiting red meat also seems to be useful.
3. Quit smoking. Many years of smoking increases breast cancer risk up to 30%. Secondhand smoke also seems to be a risk factor for non-smokers to develop pre-menopausal breast cancer.
4. Limit alcohol. 2-5 drinks per day leads to a 1 ½ times risk of breast cancer compared to non-drinkers. A recent small study suggested that red wine might be an exception, but more data is needed on this to know for sure.
5. Avoid exogenous hormones if you can. At the current time, we don’t know if there is a “safe” level or type.

If you follow the news reports about breast cancer risk, it seems that recommendations change practically every day.  However, there are a few lifestyle factors that I advise my patients to consider, since I believe there is enough scientific evidence to support them.
1. Exercise (brisk walking) 30 minutes per day at least 5 days per week led to a 20% decreased risk of breast cancer in the longstanding Women’s Health Initiative study.
2. Keep Body Mass Index (BMI) under 25.  Being overweight increases the risk of breast cancer after menopause by 25%.  Limiting red meat also seems to be useful.
3. Quit smoking.  Many years of smoking increases breast cancer risk up to 30%.  Secondhand smoke also seems to be a risk factor for non-smokers to develop pre-menopausal breast cancer.
4. Limit alcohol.  2-5 drinks per day leads to a 1 ½ times risk of breast cancer compared to non-drinkers.  A recent small study suggested that red wine might be an exception, but more data is needed on this to know for sure.
5. Avoid exogenous hormones if you can. At the current time, we don’t know if there is a “safe” level or type.

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Elynjacobs (Survivor (2 - 5 years)) - 02 / 08 / 2012

Great answers...I'd like to add that you want to aim for at least 15 servings of fruit and veges (more veges than fruit) and include at least 10 different varieties. Look for a rainbow of colors as each has its own cancer fighting properties. Limit dairy, eggs, poultry and meat, and peanuts/peanut butter as they can promote cancer friendly inflammation in the body, and in the case of the former, add unwanted hormones.

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Latest Activity: 02 / 08 / 2012
Views: 406
Followed By: 4 members