Empower Yourself: Lifestyle Choices for Breast Cancer Prevention

Breast Cancer is something that has affected so many people and impacted our lives in some way or another. As with many cancers, there are several risk factors besides family history that impact this disease. On the topic of Health & Fitness Day, Dr. Ann Chuang details the correlation of breast cancer and living a healthy lifestyle.

1 out of 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.  Most of these women do not have a family history of breast cancer.  1 out of 10 breast cancer can be attributed to genetic mutations such as BRCA 1 and 2.  Women who get regular exercise (physical activity) have a lower risk of breast cancer than women who are not active.  When the evidence is looked at as a whole, regular exercise appears to lower breast cancer risk by 10-20 percent.

Most women with early breast cancer will beat it and never develop another breast cancer. It is important that breast cancer survivors practice healthy diet and lifestyles.  These lifestyle modifications include maintaining a BMI between 18.5 and 25, limiting alcohol intake and maintaining or increasing exercise to the moderate or vigorous category. In addition, it is important to take care of other aspect of your health, including being up to date on health care screenings and visits.

Authored by Dr. Ann Chuang