Developing breast cancer depends on many risk factors. Among them are taking hormone therapy, advancing age and being female, along with family history, genetics, menstrual cycle patterns, alcohol consumption, childbirth history and obesity. According to the American Cancer Society, a woman has a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. Many individuals who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors. Although, risk factors such as gender and family history cannot be changed, certain risk factors can be. There are steps you can take to decrease your breast cancer risk.
Instructions
1. See your doctor. You will need a medical evaluation to determine your breast cancer risk factors. Your doctor will take a detailed medical history and perform a breast examination. He may recommend a mammogram, which is an X-ray of your breasts. Your doctor will discuss your personal risk factors and suggest ways you can decrease them.
2. Eat your phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are substances occurring naturally in plants that protects plants againsts fungi, viruses and bacteria. According to the Stanford Medicine Cancer Center website, eating large amounts of foods containing phytochemicals may decrease the risk of breast cancer. Phytochemicals are found in fruits and vegetables that are red, orange, purple, green, white and blue, as well as some whole grains, cereals and beans.
3. Ask your doctor about Vitamin D. According to Glendon Zinser, PhD, University of Cincinnati cell biologist, Vitamin D may have cancer preventing properties. Ask your doctor about taking supplements that contain Vitamin D and his recommendation on getting natural sunlight, which helps the body manufacture it.
4. Start exercising. According to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, women who have a family history of breast cancer may lower their risk of developing it with regular exercise workouts. Talk to your doctor about recommending an exercise program that may reduce your breast cancer risk.
5. Ask about surgery. If you are at high risk for developing breast cancer, ask your doctor about ovary and fallopian tube removal. According to Timothy Rebbeck, Ph.D., from the University of Pennsylvania, the risk of breast cancer in patients with a genetic mutation that increases their risk is reduced after undergoing this type of surgery.
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