It cannot be too strongly stressed that whether you possess certain risk factors or not, you do still have the possibility of developing breast cancer! It is for this reason that in the best interests of your health it is absolutely essential for you to make breast self-examinations and mammograms a routine part of your healthcare– even if you have none of these risk factors at all!
While no one is immune to breast cancer, there are however a number of factors which can increase a person's risk. Some of these factors are within your range of control; others are not. Being aware of these factors, and noting if one or more applies to you can help you to decrease risks as well as to be even more diligent in your awareness of the problem.
HIGHEST RISK CATEGORIES:
If you are female, and if you are over forty years of age, you are in the highest risk category for developing breast cancer. You are also in the highest risk category if you have a family history of this disease. As genetics plays a significant role in many types of cancer, it is important for both you and your physician to be aware of any such family history.
HORMONES:
Ingesting hormones in any form significantly increases your risk of developing breast cancer! While this fact is generally well-known, not nearly enough women — and, in many cases, their doctors take this risk factor as seriously as they should.
The risk factor associated with hormones is frequently overlooked, even for those who are already in the highest-risk category. Even with these facts readily available, many women are still opting for HRT (artificial Hormone-Replacement Therapy) as a par-for-the-course method in treating the symptoms of menopause. Unless your symptoms are severe enough to make treatment necessary, and only then if no other method of treatment is helpful, using Hormone-Replacement Therapy is not the best course of action for dealing with menopause.
Hormones in birth control pills and other currently-popular birth control devices can increase your chance of developing breast cancer. You will have a lower risk from these products if you are under thirty-five years of age. The risk from these products will also be lower if the product contains the least amount of hormones possible– the higher-dose birth control pills, and most especially the newer form which is meant to prevent monthly periods, will place you at a much greater risk of developing breast cancer.
Although many people are still not aware of this, unnatural hormones can also be ingested from foods and milk. The common practice of injecting farm animals with hormones so that they produce more milk is a contributing factor to the risk of cancer in the people who consume these products. While milk which is produced in the natural way, without using these hormones, does cost a little more, it is well worth it in the longrun.
CHILDBEARING:
Women who go through pregnancy at a later age are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. When the natural course of pregnancy causes one's hormones to increase at an age when the hormones would normally be decreasing, this raises the risk of breast cancer. Although the precise reasons have yet to be determined, women who have not had children at all also have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
DIET:
Your diet can be your strongest ally against breast cancer — as it is one factor which is readily within your range of control.
You may already know that a diet which is high in fat is unhealthy in general; but it is also a risk factor in breast cancer. Simply choosing foods which are low in fat, or entirely fat-free, is an excellent start; if you can focus your diet primarily around fresh fruits and vegetables, and grain products, this is even better.
Unnatural additives and preservatives should be eliminated to the best of your ability. These days, it seems as if nearly every food product and beverage contains something of this nature; but if you make a point of looking for products which are not pre-processed, and select fresh foods instead, you will be reducing the risk that you would have from unnatural additives and preservatives. You can begin by reading labels — this is a good start toward making more healthy choices.
WEIGHT:
Being overweight can lead to many health problems; and it is also a risk factor in developing breast cancer. Whether you are just a little overweight, or if you are obese, addressing this and lowering your weight will also lower your risk of breast cancer.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:
If you have an inactive lifestyle, this is also a risk factor. In most cases, you should be able to take some positive steps with this factor. Even if, like many of us, you either do not have the time or the inclination to begin working out at a gym, something as basic and simple as incorporating a brisk walk into your everyday life will be very beneficial. Just a little exercise, if done on a regular basis, will increase your general health and well-being, and will decrease your breast cancer risk.
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS:
If you live, work, or go to school in an environment which contains a significant amount of radiation from any number of sources, this places you at a higher cancer risk. As such, it is important to know what you are dealing with in your everyday environment, and, whenever possible, make changes for the sake of your health.
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO:
If you smoke cigarettes, or if you consume alcohol on a regular basis, these are risk factors associated with breast cancer. While you probably already know that such products are unhealthy in general, in order to lower your risk of developing breast cancer it is in your best interests to either give up these habits entirely, or to at least exercise moderation.
While there is nothing which can guarantee that you will never develop breast cancer, it is important to know which factors increase your risk of this disease. With the facts in hand, you can then take the steps needed to lower your risk.
