How To Prevent Breast Cancer It's So Easy

How To Prevent Breast Cancer It's So Easy - Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women. In fact, this disease also includes the leading cause of death of women. But do not worry too much, there are many ways to prevent breast cancer that can be self-cultivated. The habit of living a healthy life such as eating more fruits, avoiding alcoholic beverages, and actively exercising can help prevent breast cancer.

As a First Step, Recognize Breast Cancer Risk

Keep in mind that there are risks associated with breast cancer that can not be avoided, such as genetic factors, are born as women, and have a certain age. Still, there are other risks you can learn. Let's discuss them one by one.

• Genetic factors

Can not be denied, genetic factors are very influential on the possibility of breast cancer. This factor contributes to the disease as much as 5-10 percent. Nevertheless, most cases of women affected by breast cancer have no family history of having a similar disease. This means there is still a high expectation to successfully do how to prevent breast cancer through a healthy lifestyle.

• Age factor

In the case of breast cancer, the older the age of women is considered increasingly at risk of this disease. Women who experience menstruation first at age under 12 years and women who experience menopause after the age of 51 years are also at risk of breast cancer. 

• Pregnancy Factor

Women and pregnancy affairs have something to do with breast cancer. Those who are at increased risk for breast cancer are adult women who have never been pregnant, are pregnant for the first time at age above 30 years, and give birth over the age of 35 years.

• Another factor

In addition to the factors mentioned above, there are other factors that increase the risk of breast cancer. These factors have been breast cancer before, had ovarian cancer, had a dense breast tissue, and have been exposed to radiation exposure in the chest area at the age of childhood and adolescence. 

Already Know the Risks, Now Focus on Prevention Efforts

After knowing the risks, how to prevent breast cancer can be done by reducing these risks with these things.

• Keeping your weight ideally

Weight is closely related to breast cancer risk. Women who experience weight gain or obesity after menopause, have a risk of breast cancer by 30-60 percent. Meanwhile, women who experience weight gain or obesity before menopause, breast cancer risk 20-40 percent higher than those who have normal weight. Changes in weight and time of weight gain is thought to be related to the state of the hormone in the body. Seeing these risks, keeping the ideal weight is one way to prevent breast cancer that you can do.

• Prioritize healthy foods

Although eating fresh fruits and vegetables has not provided effective protection against breast cancer, at least it may help reduce the risk of breast cancer. Women who have been exposed to breast cancer life can be more qualified if avoiding fatty foods. Fatty meats, sausages, creams, margarine, butter, and oil are sources of food to avoid as a suggested prevention effort.

• Take time to exercise

Women who are physically active can lower the risk of breast cancer. On the contrary, the risk is increased in women who have not worked physically for many years. Standards for moderate intensity aerobic exercise (such as cycling and brisk walking) are for 2 hours 30 minutes per week.

• Stop smoking any reason

You who have been a smoker alone still have a risk of breast cancer by 13 percent higher than those who never smoked at all. Worse conditions you can experience if you are still active smoking, which is 24 percent higher risk. Women who from an early age have smoked, the risk is even higher, that is, plus 12 percent. One again, women who smoke before the first pregnancy, the risk will increase by 21 percent. Looking at these risks, quitting smoking is now also the most appropriate choice.

• Limit alcoholic beverages

Consuming one glass of alcohol a day can increase the risk of breast cancer by 10-12 percent compared with someone who does not consume alcoholic beverages. Breast cancer potential is higher if usual drink more than a glass per day. This can happen because there is a link between alcohol levels and changes in the amount of hormones in the blood. In this case as a way to prevent breast cancer is to reduce alcohol intake, even advised to stop altogether.

• Breastfeed babies regularly

Although the rate of decline in the risk is small, breastfeeding can help prevent breast cancer. Every 12 months breastfeeding, the risk of breast cancer can be reduced by 4.3 percent.

• Limit hormone therapy

Hormone therapy is usually done by women associated with menopause. Therapies that generally use the hormones estrogen and progesterone is usually a long period of time, which is about 10 years. Therefore, this therapy risks increasing breast cancer. However, when the use is stopped, within about five years, the risk can be reduced again. If you really need hormone therapy, consult your doctor so that the hormone levels can be reduced.

• Avoid exposure to radiation

There are several things that may cause you to be exposed to high levels of radiation, such as the use of CT scan healthcare equipment, working in radiation-treatment sites, and exposure to vehicle fumes, and chemicals. Protect yourself from the exposure and be avoided as much as possible. 

 Recognizing the Changes

Awareness to find ways to prevent breast cancer can also be done alone by recognizing if there is a change in self. The most common thing to recognize abnormalities in the breast is to perform the BSE method, ie by using the hand. Do not be lazy to do it because it is very important to help maintain breast health from cancer.

If you've done all of the above and still want to get a way to prevent breast cancer, visit your doctor. Ask your doctor to do a mammogram to get you more accurate information. Another goal is if there are signs of breast cancer, can be handled immediately.