Breast cancer awareness month: Stay informed-10 ways to protect yourself from breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer contracted by women in the U.S. The American Cancer Society estimates that 190,000 cases will be diagnosed this year and 40,000 people will die from the disease.

While you may not be able to control your genes or hereditary endowment, don’t fret – there are ways you can lower your risk and protect yourself from breast cancer. Health experts recommend the following tips, as reported by the Miami Herald.

1) Keeping yourself informed about the disease is step one.

2) The sooner, the better.

If breast cancer is caught early, chances are you’ll be joining the more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the U.S. Those diagnosed early have a 90% survival rate.

3) Don’t just rely on mammograms.

Early strands of cancer don’t always show up in mammogram test results. Get annual clinical breast exams and perform self-examinations at least every month. Become aware of your body so you know if something doesn’t feel right.

4) Be conscious of your family history with the disease.

Just because breast cancer is prevalent in your family, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s coming for you next. Only 20% to 30% of people with family history of the disease get it. However, talk to your doctor about all of these factors to ensure you take the right precautions and get the necessary checkups. Other factors, such as when you
got your first period and when you had children, affect your risk level. Colon and prostate cancer in male relatives could also indicate higher risks.

5) Stay active.

Exercise lowers estrogen levels, which in turn lowers the chances of dying from breast cancer. Join a gym class, do some yoga or even take power walks.

6) Vitamin B.

Get your proper dose of Vitamin B. Chew on some multi-vitamins or get the dose from beans, leafy green veggies or fortified cereal.

7) Alcohol in moderation.

Having two or more drinks a day increases breast cancer risk by 25%. Cut down on those happy hour rendezvous or keep the drink limit to one a day.

8) Eat only certain soy products.

Soy products can both increase and decrease your chances of getting breast
cancer. Stay away from soy supplements or concentrated forms of soy. Stick to edamame, soy milk and tofu – they’re protective against breast cancer.

9) Go green.

The Daily Green reports that you can protect yourself from breast cancer while
going green. Drink tap water over bottled water. Massively produced water bottles
contain chemicals linked to breast cancer. Use a stainless steel water bottle and take water from the tap. Be careful with food packaging when heating up food in the microwave. Some plastic containers, even the “microwave safe” ones contain pervasive chemicals linked to breast cancer. Use glass or ceramic bowls to heat up your meals.

10) Walk for a cause.

Make strides against breast cancer in the annual American Cancer Society walk this Sunday in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Honor survivors and raise funds to help end the disease.