Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer

Did you know that 1 in 26 South African women run the risk of getting breast cancer during their lifetime?

The odds of you or someone you know getting breast cancer are pretty scary when you think about it! It’s even scarier to discover how much this risk increases with factors such as age, gender and genetics.

But it’s not all doom and gloom! There’s a lot you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer. By simply making a few lifestyle changes, you can take charge of your health and have peace of mind, knowing you’ve taken every preventative measure possible.

Take a look at the list of lifestyle changes we’ve prepared below to see what you can do to improve your breast health.

4 Steps to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer

1.Maintain A Healthy Weight

Being overweight can dramatically increase your risk of breast cancer, especially after menopause. So it’s important to make sure you watch your caloric intake – this, of course, doesn’t mean you should starve yourself! It just means you should make wiser dietary decisions, such as decreasing the amount of fatty foods you eat, and including plenty of fruits and vegetables in your daily meals.

Since diet is thought to be partly responsible for 30% to 40% of all cancers, the importance of adopting healthier eating habits cannot be overemphasised!

2.Exercise Regularly

With all the benefits of regular exercise, such as increased energy, improved focus and boosted immunity, it’s just makes sense to be more physically active. But if these benefits aren’t motivation enough, consider the fact that 4 to 7 hours of exercise per week is known to reduce your risk of breast cancer by up to 12%!

3.Quit Smoking

Smoking is probably one of the worst things you can do for your health. From early aging and lung damage to heart disease and an increased risk of fifteen different cancers, including breast cancer, smoking is definitely a bad idea!

But if you’re already addicted, and are struggling to give up this harmful habit, then consider speaking to your doctor or psychologist about available medications or therapies to help curb your cravings.

4.Lower Your Alcohol Intake

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the odd drink here and there. But it’s a good idea to monitor your alcohol intake, as experts estimate that your risk of breast cancer increases by 10% for every drink you have each day.

Did you find this list of lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of breast cancer helpful? Leave us a comment in the box below and let us know your thoughts.