Prevention of Breast Cancer

Home Breast Cancer Prevention of Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer is multifactorial, meaning there is no single cause for cancer and hence it is not always possible to prevent unless we know the reason for increased risk in select group of population.

Women with family history of breast cancer, with known genetic mutations, specific steps can be taken to prevent.

For general population the risk of breast cancer is divided into factors that you can change and those risk factors that you cannot alter.

Risk factors that you can change	Risk factors that you cannot change
Regular alcohol consumption.	Being a women.
Not having healthy foods.	If you have already been diagnosed for breast cancer.
Not being physically active.	Ethnic Factors – White women have more chance of developing breast cancer than women of other race.
Doing post-menopausal hormone therapy (PHT).	Having a family history of breast cancer, especially for your mother, daughter, or sister.
Being obese.	For a person who has multiple relatives that are affected by breast or ovarian cancer especially before the age of 50.
Being pregnant for the first time after the age of 30.	Inherited risk.
Not breastfeeding.	Menstruation before the age of 11 and menopause after age 55.
Use of birth control pills.	If unusual changes occurs during a breast biopsy.
Exposure to chemicals such as paraben and phthalates that are present in cosmetics.	If unusual changes occurs during a breast biopsy.
Exposure to chemicals in plastic products, in particular, bisphenol A (BPA).	Exposed to radiation therapy to the chest as a child or young adult for another cancer.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity, especially after menopause, increases the risk of breast cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can reduce this risk.
Regular Physical Activity: Exercise, such as brisk walking, can help regulate hormones and reduce breast cancer risk. The American Cancer Society recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week.
Limit Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol intake has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Limiting alcohol to one drink per day or less can lower risk.
Healthy Diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins and low in processed foods and sugars can support overall health and help reduce cancer risk.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Management: Long-term use of HRT, particularly combined estrogen-progestin therapy, has been linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. Women considering HRT should discuss the risks and benefits with their doctor.
Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding has been shown to offer some protective effect against breast cancer. The longer a woman breastfeeds, the more the risk appears to decrease.

Medications: For women with a high risk of breast cancer, medications like tamoxifen and raloxifene can reduce the risk. These drugs block estrogen receptors on breast cancer cells, reducing the growth of estrogen-sensitive cancers.
Preventive Surgery: For women with a very high genetic risk (e.g., BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers), preventive mastectomy or oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) may be considered to significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer. This decision is highly personal and involves counseling and consultation with healthcare providers.

Less invasive treatments: Treating cancer in its early stages often allows for less invasive treatment options. For example, a small tumor detected in a mammogram may be removed with a lumpectomy (removal of the tumor) instead of a full mastectomy (removal of the breast).
Better prognosis: Early-stage cancers tend to respond better to treatment, with higher survival rates. For instance, the 5-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is about 99%, but it drops significantly once cancer spreads to other parts of the body.