Though still an area of active research, many lifestyle and environmental risk factors for breast cancer have been identified. Fortunately, almost all of them are controllable by an individual seeking to optimize his or her health. Yes, men get breast cancer, too, at about 1/133 the rate of women.
Women who have not had any children before the age of thirty are at an increased risk of contracting breast cancer. The cause of such risk has been determined to be twofold: the number of menstrual periods the individual has experienced an the related factor of how much estrogen is contained within the body. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone play a role in cell growth. Cancer is a condition in which cells grow into abnormal shapes and numbers.
Multiple pregnancies before age 30 lowers the risk of breast cancer. But pregnancy itself carries some risk too, even in a modern medical setting. Offsetting the risk of breast cancer by this method should therefore be low on anyone’s list. But for those who intend to bear children anyway, it’s comforting to know about this not inconsequential side benefit.
It has yet to be determined whether or not there is a risk of contracting cancer through taking oral contraceptives or if the risk of contracting cancer is reduced. Women who have stopped using birth control for more than ten years do not show any increased risk. Because most women who contract breast cancer don’t do so until they are in their 50’s or later it is difficult to isolate the contribution.
Diet has been determined to be a more direct contributor. But since research is still ongoing no conclusive evidence exists to prove anything. What is known is that maintaining a healthy diet in general is a factor. Because of the ability of fat cells to store estrogen obesity definitely raises the risk of breast cancer. Fat cells are also responsible for producing a small amount of estrogen on their own even though most estrogen in the body is generated by the ovaries.
The exact contribution of an individual’s diet is still unknown. For a time period it was popular for individuals to assert that a high fiber diet could almost act as a preventative. Research does not support that notion, but it is a definite that a diet higher in fiber is healthy for man reasons. Even if diet doesn’t prevent the onset of breast caner maintaining good health and well being is very important when it comes to any type of treatment and diet is a major part of that effort.
Along with diet, age and body type-appropriate exercise is a major contributor to good overall health. An hour a day of moderate activity is a major factor in keeping muscles toned and the body in overall good shape. Exactly how much this helps reduce the risk of breast cancer is unknown, but one study correlated a 1-2 hour brisk walk per week with an 18% lower risk.
Surprisingly, there are several factors commonly suspected to increase breast cancer risk that are not supported by contemporary research findings, according to the American Cancer society. Smoking is one of them. No link has been found between cigarette smoking and breast cancer. Lung cancer, of course, is another story. Environmental pollutants in general have not been correlated with breast cancer.
But since these are clearly not healthy lifestyle choices, the goal of optimizing overall well-being would weigh against them.
Alcohol in moderation is healthy. But heavy use of alcohol is definitely correlated with increased risk of breast cancer. The risk increases by about 10% for every daily drink of hard alcohol consumed. And since it also damages the liver and contributes to overall poor health, heavy drinking is an unwise choice.
Maintaining a positive attitude and a positive health program make your odds of contracting breast cancer as low as you can possibly make them.