During the month of October, people all over the country work to spread awareness about breast cancer, prevention tips, and raise money for those who are struggling with the disease. According to BreastCancer.org, about 12% of women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer within the course of their life.
At The Vu Center, we care about helping you live a happy and healthy life, which is why we’re here to provide you with more information about how you can prevent breast cancer. While some may be able to avoid it, not everyone is that lucky. If you were recently diagnosed with breast cancer or you’re interested in a breast augmentation following a mastectomy or double mastectomy, our team of board-certified plastic surgeons at The Vu Center is here to help! Continue reading below to view our top five prevention tips, and if you would like more information, stop by our Portland plastic surgery clinic today.
Engage in Physical Activities
It’s important to engage in physical activities and eat a balanced diet, not only because it benefits your overall health, but it can also help lower your risk of developing breast cancer. Women who are overweight have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. That being said, breast cancer is not directly linked to obesity, and there are many other contributing factors, but managing your weight and exercising or participating in physical activities can help reduce your risk.
Quit Smoking
You’ve probably heard of all of the risk factors associated with smoking, from loss of appetite to lung cancer. With that in mind, many people are shocked to learn that smoking has also been linked to breast cancer.
Women who smoke, especially women who have not yet reached menopause, are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who do not smoke. Research has also shown that heavy second-hand smoke can also increase the risk of breast cancer in women.
Eat a Healthier Diet
While eating healthy can help contribute to maintaining a healthy weight, the main goal of eating a healthier diet is to help your body grow stronger. Some researchers say that a bad diet plays a role in 30 to 40% of cancers, but the reality is that eliminating certain foods or going on a particular diet can’t completely prevent you from getting the disease. However, eating the right foods can help your body become the healthiest it can be and strengthen your immune system. Eating a diet that is full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes can provide your body with the essential nutrients and minerals it needs to thrive.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
When a patient is first diagnosed with cancer, the doctor will take a biopsy to test if the cancer cells have proteins that have estrogen or progesterone receptors. If the cancer cells have any of these receptors, they can attach to estrogen or progesterone hormones, which then fuel the cancer growth. If the patient has cancer cells that have both receptors, it is known as hormone-receptor-positive cancer.
Studies have consistently shown that women who consume alcohol on a regular basis are more likely to develop hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Women who have even as few as three drinks per week have a 15% higher risk than women who don’t drink at all, according to BreastCancer.org. The best way to lower your risk is to cut out alcohol — wine, beer, and liquor — out of your diet completely, but if you like to drink socially, then it is recommended that you stick to two or fewer drinks per week.
Perform a Breast Self-Exam
Performing a breast self-exam won’t prevent you from getting breast cancer, but it can help you discover cancer during the early stages. Finding breast cancer early makes it easier to treat the cancer, and performing a self-exam coupled with other screening methods can increase the odds of early detection.
As you perform your breast self-exam, you are looking to see if your breasts are their usual shape and color and that there isn’t any fluid coming out of one or both nipples. You will also want to feel for any lumps or places where there is hard breast tissue. Feel your breasts using a firm, smooth touch, and make sure you check the entire breast, from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen.
Interested in Learning More?
If you want to learn more about breast cancer prevention, or you would like to schedule a consultation for a breast augmentation or reconstruction procedure, then contact The Vu Center in Portland. We offer a variety of cosmetic and plastic surgery options, and our board-certified plastic surgeons are more than happy to discuss your options. Give us a call to schedule an appointment, or stop by our Portland plastic surgery clinic today!