Factors that can help lower the risk of breast cancer

Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. There are different kinds of breast cancer. The kind of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer.

Some warning signs of breast cancer are—

New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)

Thickening or swelling of part of the breast

Irritation or dimpling of breast skin

Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast

Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area

The following factors can reduce the risk of breast cancer-

Keep Weight in Check

It’s easy to tune out because it gets said so often, but maintaining a healthy weight is an important goal for everyone. Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.

Exercise regularly

Regular physical activity will help to reduce your risk of breast cancer, particularly after the menopause. Physical activity includes structured exercise and other moderate physical activity, such as walking, housework, cycling at a casual pace, actively playing with children and gardening.

Breastfeeding

Women who breastfeed are statistically less likely to develop breast cancer than those who don't.

The reasons aren't fully understood, but it could be because women don't ovulate as regularly while they're breastfeeding and estrogen levels remain stable.

Eat a diet high in non-starchy vegetables — and carrots

Eating non-starchy vegetables, foods with carotenoids like carrots and tomatoes, and foods that are high in calcium all might have an effect on lowering your risk of breast cancer.

Limit alcohol

The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of developing breast cancer. The general recommendation — based on research on the effect of alcohol on breast cancer risk — is to limit you to less than 1 drink per day as even small amounts increase risk.

Limit time spent sitting

The evidence is growing that sitting time, no matter how much exercise you get when you aren’t sitting, increases the likelihood of developing cancer, especially for women.