Each year, the rate of new breast cancer diagnoses increases. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be more than 320,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women and about 42,000 breast cancer deaths in 2026. Some breast cancer risk factors – such as age and family history – are beyond your control. But healthy lifestyle choices may help lower your risk, and recommended screening can help find breast cancer earlier, when it may be easier to treat.
Lower Your Risk
•Talk to your doctor – Know what’s normal for you and talk to your doctor about changes. “You should be aware of any changes to the breast,” said Dr. Benjamin Banasiewicz, OB/GYN at Med Center Health’s Women’s Health Specialists. “The thing everyone thinks about is new lumps and bumps. But you should also look for changes in the skin, discolorations, and changes in the nipple such as indentations or nipple discharge that can also be a sign of breast cancer.”
•Limit alcohol – There is a clear link between alcohol and an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Those who have two to five drinks daily have about 1½ times the risk of women who don’t drink at all.
•Maintain healthy weight, especially after menopause – After menopause, most of a woman’s estrogen comes from fat tissue. Having more fat tissue can increase your chance of getting breast cancer by raising estrogen levels.
•Keep moving – As with many other illnesses, breast cancer risk is reduced by regular exercise. As little as 1.25 to 2.5 hours per week of brisk walking may reduce a woman’s risk by as much as 18%.
What can you do to identify breast cancer at an early stage?
One of the single most important things a woman can do for herself is annual screening mammograms. Mammography, especially 3D mammography, is still the best exam for breast cancer screening.
“A screening mammogram can detect small changes in the breast that may not be found during a physical exam or noticed at home,” said Dr. Banasiewicz. “The earlier we find breast cancer, the easier it is to treat. Detecting it at an early stage can lead to better outcomes and a less invasive course of treatment.”
Research shows up to a 40% decrease in breast cancer death rates in women who undergo annual mammograms. Recommendations on when to start screening varies between age 40 and 45 for most women without significant family history. Talk to your doctor to see what is right for you based on your personal and family health histories.
To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Med Center Health’s Women’s Health Specialists, call 270-781-0075 or visit www.medcenterhealth.org/womens-health-specialists.
-submitted by Med Center Health
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