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Breast Cancer Awareness Month- Part #2

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and its purpose is to educate everyone on this particular type of cancer that effects millions of women every year.

Here are some more of the risks factors and what you can do about them.

Risk #4: If you have not had children or had children after age 26 then you are more at risk for breast cancer also. Apparently the hormonal changes that occur while being pregnant have a protective effect on many women.

What you can do: Other than getting pregnant before age 26, you can again manage your other risk factors and preventative care. There also appears to be a link between breast-feeding and less risk of breast cancer in women of all ages.

Risk #5: Heavy drink and smoking are two risks factors that can really influence your chances of developing breast cancer. Most people know that smoking can radically increases your risk for multiple types of cancer and other health problems. Research has shown that drinking more than two drinks a day can increase your chance of developing breast cancer by 1-1/2 times over women who do not drink alcohol.

What you can do: Most people now know the many risks of smoking and that you should quit, not just to reduce your breast cancer risk but for your overall health. If you drink alcohol try to limit your drinking to an occasional drink, and look into alternative methods to manage your stress and to relax if that is what you are using alcohol for.

Risk #6: Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States and can increase your chances for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and many cancers including breast cancer. A study from Morehead State University in Kentucky showed that females who gained over 60 pounds between age 20 to menopause where 70% more likely to develop breast cancer. This translates to a 4% percent increase in risk for each 11 pounds gained as an adult.

What you can do: If you are more than twenty pounds overweight then losing weight can yield great health benefits. If you are obese and have a great deal of weight to lose it can be helpful to concentrate on losing 10% of the weight at a time so you are not overwhelmed. Remember that the numbers work both ways, so for every 11 pounds of weight lost you are reducing your breast cancer risk by 4%. Exercise will not only help you to lose weight but women who exercise more than five hour s week reduce their risk by 20% regardless of weight. If you are out of shape you will be happy to know that duration and consistency of your exercise is more important than intensity for cancer prevention.

See tomorrow’s post for Part #3
Yesterday’s post - Part #1

Some of this information comes from the Susan G Komen website
More info at www.breastcancer.org

See the Discussing Breast Cancer Blog for much more information.

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Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Susan G Komen, Breast Cancer Risks