how can I reduce my risk of breast cancer?
Saturday, September 5th, 2009 at
3:48 pm
thatssorisque asked:
So, I recently found out that 2 of my aunts on my dad’s side of the family have had cancerous lumps taken out of their breasts (they’re both in their 50s). And my other 3 aunts have apparently had lumps, but none which were cancerous.
So, I recently found out that 2 of my aunts on my dad’s side of the family have had cancerous lumps taken out of their breasts (they’re both in their 50s). And my other 3 aunts have apparently had lumps, but none which were cancerous.
Since I’m only 19 (almost 20)…what preventative steps can I take now to reduce my risk of breast cancer? (Besides checking myself regularly for lumps and mammogram checks)…
Thanks!
Tagged with: 50s • Breast Cancer • Breasts
Filed under: Breast Cancer
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You should know that not all breast cancer is hereditary. It can be caused by hormonal changes and imbalances.
One of the biggest things you can do to cut your risk is have a baby in your 20′s and breastfeed for 6-12 mos. It is the best thing for your child and it greatly reduces your risk!
Drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day raises the risk, as does smoking, eating a poor diet, not excercising, etc… Just live your life as healthy as you can and don’t worry. Stress is also a huge contributor for people getting ill (not just cancer) – laugh a lot and be happy!
I am male. My wife died of ovarian cancer at 43 and my sister in law at the same age. My daughter is seven and I wonder about the same questions, as you ask, on behalf of my daughter.
There is a gene called BCRA which people have who are more likely to get breast or ovarian cancer.
Specifically, for my daughter, I believe it is best if she has a varied diet of simple food in a clean, non urban environment. I can explain why I have made that decision if you wish.
This is the first time I have used yahoo questions so I am learning about the system at the same time as answering your question.
Only 5 – 10% of breast cancer cases are due to hereditary factors; the rest are random and nobody knows what causes them.
One in nine women will get breast cancer at some time in their lives, so it is not unusual for more than one woman in the same family to have non-hereditary breast cancer.
Unless your aunts’ breast cancer was due to their carrying one of the (rare) BRCA genes, and unless your father carries that gene too, you aren’t at increased risk of breast cancer.
Also, if they were diagnosed in their 50s, the chances of their cancer being hereditary are low. The younger you are when cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chance that hereditary factors have played a part; cancers diagnosed after the age of 50 are less likely to be hereditary.
My oncologist was able to assure me that my breast cancer was not hereditary, and that other members of my largely female family – including my nieces – were not at increased risk.
Apart from the regular self examinations you mention, there isn’t a lot you can do to protect yourself.
There are recognised risk factors for breast cancer; they ARE are only risk factors though; ticking one, some or all these boxes does not mean you will get breast cancer, and many people who are diagnosed with breast cancer have none of these risk factors except the first and/or the second.
The greatest risk factor for breast cancer is being female -over 99% of those diagnosed are women.
The second greatest is getting older – 80% of those diagnosed are over 50.
Having children at an older age or not at all. The more children a woman has may also slightly lower her risk. Breast-feeding helps protect against the disease. The longer a woman breast feeds her children, the more she lowers her risk.
Starting periods at a younger than average age (under 12) or having a late menopause (after 55)
Taking the contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) causes a small increase in risk. However, the risk gradually returns to normal after you stop taking them.
Being overweight (especially after the menopause).
Regularly drinking more than 1 unit of alcohol per day slightly increases the risk of breast cancer.
Having a previous diagnosis of breast cancer increases the risk of developing a new cancer in the other breast.
As you see, some are avoidable, some are not.
Claims that diet etc can prevent cancer are speculation at best and reflect the fears and prejudices of those making the claims. It’s often less frightening for someone who hasn’t had cancer to ‘blame the victim’ – put cancer down to avoidable lifestyle factors like bad diet, stress, lack of exercise etc – rather than accepting that cancer is a random disease that can strike any of us.
I once believed my healthy, largely organic vegan diet, coupled with the facts that I exercised regularly and have nevr smoked, would protect me against cancer. I was wrong.
Be breast aware, do your monthly self exams and don’t worry.