Women of all ages are at risk of breast cancer, but it increases as they age. Women should perform self-examination of breasts in their 20s and 30s and if any changes are found, they must be discussed with a doctor. Women need to begin annual mammography screenings right after the age of 40, because it is the best way of detecting breast cancer in its earliest stage. Timely detection is the key to survival as the earlier it is found the chances of recovery are pretty higher.
Other than growing older, the largest risk factors for the breast cancer include a family history of this disease or genetic tendency, age at first child birth, starting menstruation early, beginning menopause later in life, postmenopausal obesity, use of hormone replacement therapy, taking birth control pills, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity. If you have had a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer you are at slightly greater risk compared to other women. The risk is even greater if she was under 40, if she developed it in both breasts, or if you have had two relatives who have been diagnosed.
Idle lifestyles, a high fat diet, lack of physical activity and a late first child can affect women to develop breast cancer. Urban lifestyles also lead to a high incidence of breast cancer.
While there is no assured way to confirm that you won’t develop breast cancer, there are options to cut your risk. Lifestyle changes over the years and consumption of high-fat meals have certainly contributed to the increase in the occurrence of breast cancer over the years. To begin with, a low-fat diet can help to cut breast cancer risk. Other ways to reduce your risk include sidestepping obesity and weight gain. Regular exercise has been proven to reduce breast cancer risk for post-menopausal women. Just two hours brisk walk per week can decrease your risk a lot.
Women should also avoid consumption of alcohol, foods high in animal fat, and hormone replacement therapy to keep their risk of getting breast cancer at its lowest. Prolonged breastfeeding can also reduce the risk of breast cancer.