Your risk of breast cancer, the second-leading cause of death among women in the United States, is impacted by many factors, including genetics, age, race, and lifestyle. You can’t change most of these, but leveling up your lifestyle is well within your control.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So, the health care providers at Midwest Regional Health Services in Omaha, Nebraska, are focusing this blog on how you can help prevent breast cancer. Read on to learn ways to lower your risk.
Excess body weight, especially after menopause, is a primary risk factor for breast cancer. Fat cells produce estrogen; extra fat cells mean more estrogen, which can fuel certain types of breast cancer.
Our team can help you determine a healthy weight for your body and create a plan to achieve and maintain it.
Regular exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your health. We recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (such as a brisk walk) or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity (such as jogging or a spin class) each week.
The key is to find activities you enjoy and make them a consistent part of your routine.
Research clearly shows a link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of breast cancer. Even small amounts can have an impact. To minimize your risk, it's best to avoid alcohol altogether.
Up to 6% of cancer diagnoses and 4% of deaths are linked to alcohol use. Breast cancer is one of the six types of cancer associated with drinking alcohol.
If you choose to drink, we advise limiting yourself to no more than one alcoholic beverage per day. That’s equivalent to 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor.
Research suggests that following a Mediterranean diet may reduce your risk of breast cancer by as much as 40%.
The Mediterranean diet is based on consuming fruits and vegetables, especially those with the brightest colors (red, orange, yellow, and dark green), legumes, whole grains, extra-virgin olive oil, fish, and small amounts of dairy products, such as cheese and plain Greek yogurt.
Get regular mammograms. Doing so increases the likelihood of detecting breast cancer early when it’s most treatable. Mammograms are low-dose X-rays of the breast.
Your provider at Midwest Regional Health Services establishes an appropriate screening schedule tailored to your age and family history.
To learn more about breast cancer prevention and all of your primary health care needs, book a consultation with the experts at Midwest Regional Health Services. Call 402-745-1145 today to schedule an appointment.
