Did you know that in the United States, 3.8 million women have a history of breast cancer? Every October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Although many women fear getting breast cancer, there are many natural methods you can take to prevent breast cancer. Below, learn five natural ways to prevent breast cancer!
1. Eat more plant-based foods
Eating vegetables and fruits is essential for your health. Fruits and vegetables have flavonoids, which are anticancer properties. People who consume more of them have a reduced risk of breast cancer. Eat foods such as onions, kale, broccoli, eggplant, celery, red peppers, tomatoes, apples, and berries. Additionally, green tea, black tea, and oolong tea are full of flavonoids.
2. Be active
Having a healthy diet is important but so is being physically active. People who are more physically active have a lower risk of breast cancer, as well as other types of cancers. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day to have a lower risk of breast cancer. You can easily be active by doing activities such as going for a walk, swimming, jogging, biking, and dancing. You can also do simple exercises such as planks, lunges, and resistance band side-steps.
3. Stay at a healthy weight
Stay at a healthy weight according to your height. Make sure your body fat levels are not at a high reduces your risk for breast cancer. Additionally, if you’re postmenopausal, it’s especially important not to have a high level of body fat.
4. Limit drinking alcohol
Based on breast cancer research, the risk of developing breast cancer increases when you overconsume alcohol. Limit yourself to no more than one drink a day.
5. Avoid smoking
Don’t smoke if you want to be healthy as possible. Not only does smoking increase you the risk of breast cancer, it also increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and many other cancers.
Carefully choose your birth control (before you take it)
There’s some evidence that some birth control pills and IUDs may release hormones that can increase the risk of breast cancer. Although the risk decreases after you stop using hormonal contraceptives, it’s a smart idea to be on the safe side and discuss all of your contraceptive options with your physician or gynecologist. However, it’s important to note that birth control can also reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. If you need to take birth control, find a hormonal contraceptive that works best for you with help from your doctor.
Get a mammogram
Breast cancer screenings save lives! It doesn’t help prevent cancer, but mammograms help detect cancer. Yearly mammograms are recommended if you’re over 40 years old. However, your physician or gynecologist may recommend you to get breast cancer screenings less or more often depending on your age and current health risks. Schedule a mammogram with an experienced gynecologist at Doral Health & Wellness. Our dedicated gynecologists provides mammograms to patients.
Schedule your appointment today and call 718-DORAL-55.
