No matter how imperfect they maybe, our breasts make us feel feminine and the fear of loosing them to cancer is every woman’s worst nightmare. While some of us may carry genes from our mothers and sisters; some of us lead unhealthy lifestyle that makes us susceptible to grave diseases such as Cancer.

If you fall in either of these categories, making certain lifestyle changes can cut your risk of breast cancer to a great extent. If you stop doing these things today, it can go a long way in breast cancer prevention.

1. Smoking & Consuming Alcohol

No person on the planet will ever tell you that smoking is good for you. You’ve probably told yourself that you’ll quit someday, now you need to make that “someday” – Today! Apart from increasing your risk of various types of cancer, tobacco use makes your skin look dull, makes you loose hair and decreases both your immunity & stamina.

As far as alcohol consumption is concerned, we can’t always refuse that drink our boss offers us or avoid our best friends birthday bash where you have to have a couple of shots; but what you can do is cut your alcohol consumption to bare minimum. Only drink when you have to, and stop using alcohol to fix your problems, it is not the friend you think it is and can increase your risk of Breast Cancer.

2. Being Overweight

Not being able to wear that pretty red dress is not the only reason you need to control your weight. Studies show that exercising and loosing weight could go a long way in preventing postmenopausal breast cancer. According to an experienced oncologist in Gurgaon,

Fat tissues produce more estrogen, which is linked to both breast and endometrial cancer. So next time you need motivation to go for a walk or sign up for yoga class, remember what the exercise can do for your health and just go for it!

3. Missing out on Sleep

Every time we have some extra work, there is a party, or our favorite football match is on, the first thing we are always ready to sacrifice on is our sleep. But very few people know that a four-hour sleep routine just doesn’t give you dark circles; it can change your body for the worse. Being one of the most common cancers among women, a lot of research has been done on breast cancer prevention. Many of them point out to the quality and hours of sleep affecting the chances of developing the deadly disease.

4. Hormone Therapies

According to research, Estrogen-progestin therapy (EPT) can increase the risk of breast cancer. Studies also reveal that patients who undergo hormone therapies have larger tumors in their breasts and they often get diagnosed after they have spread to the lymph nodes. This is common because hormone therapies make mammography less effective for detection of cancer. So if you are already at a high risk for the disease (because of genetics etc.), skipping the hormone therapy can be good for breast cancer prevention.

5. Missing Doctor’s Appointments

Prevention is always better than cure but if the disease has already started to develop then your best bet to save yourself is to start treatment as soon as possible. For women who have a history of breast cancer in their family, getting genetic testing for BRCA gene mutations could help realize if you have a genetic disposition towards the disease. You should also go for regular mammograms so that if you have developed cancer, you can start treatment as soon as possible.

Know more about Breast Cancer Screening

Remember, when you Stay Aware, You Stay Safe.

This article was previously published on Credihealth.

Ask our Breast Care Specialist about Breast issues here.

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