Though it is still an active research area, many lifestyle and environmental factors for breast cancer have been identified and are being studied. Luckily, most of them can be controlled if an individual wishes to optimize his or her health. Even men can get breast cancer, but it is at a lower rate than women, occurring in only 1 out of 133.
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.
Having multiple pregnancies prior to age 30 reduces the risk of breast cancer. However, pregnancy itself can also carry some risk, even in the modern medical settings of today. Using this method to prevent breast cancer should therefore be at the bottom of anyone’s list. But for individuals who already intend to have children, it is comforting to know about this benefit.
Incidentally, the jury is still out on the relative cancer risk of taking oral contraceptives. Women who have ceased using birth control for more than ten years show no increased risk. Since most women who contract the condition don’t get breast cancer until their 50s or later, it’s 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.
Included with diet, age and body type appropriate exercise is a major factor in contributing to one’s overall health. Moderate activity for an hour a day can help in keeping the muscles toned and leaving the body in overall good shape. The exact amount that this aids in the reduction of breast cancer is unknown. One study was able to correlate 1-2 hours of brisk walking per week with an 18% lower risk of breast cancer.
Surprisingly, there are many more factors that are commonly believed to increase the risk of breast cancer that are not supported by contemporary research findings according to the American Cancer Society. Smoking is among them. A link between cigarette smoking and breast cancer has yet to be found. Lung cancer, of course is a completely different story. No environmental pollutants have been found to be correlated with breast cancer at this time.
Because these lifestyle choices are not healthy, the goal of maintaining good health and well-being should strongly 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.
Individuals are urged to maintain a positive attitude and a good health program to reduce their risk of breast cancer personally.
