What Can You Do to Lower Your Risk for Breast Cancer?

You’ve heard the sobering statistics: one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives.

But have you heard that the risk factors for breast cancer include both modifiable and nonmodifiable elements? You can’t change your genetic predisposition, breast density, gender, or age — women over 50 are more likely to be diagnosed — but you can still make changes to help lower your breast cancer risk. 

As a highly skilled general surgeon, Dr. Luis Quinones at Q&S Surgical in Decatur and Lithonia, Georgia, has expertise in performing breast procedures and is highly attuned to breast cancer risk in women and the importance of preventive screenings like mammograms. Dr. Quinones is a committed partner in care for all the patients he treats.

Simple steps to lower your risk for breast cancer

It’s empowering to know that there are relatively simple steps you can take to safeguard yourself against breast cancer. We talk about them here.

1. Watch your weight after menopause

If you struggle with extra pounds or obesity, you have a greater chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer. 

You can cut this risk by losing weight sensibly. This means eating a diet rich in fruits and veggies, healthy proteins like fish and eggs, legumes, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats like avocado and olive oil. 

Upping your exercise also helps you lose pounds — dog walking, house cleaning, and gardening count! You don’t have to embark on triathlon training to make that needle on the scale dive downward.

2. Add activity to your routine

We just mentioned the importance of exercise when you’re trying to lose weight specifically, but daily exercise is pivotal to lowering your breast cancer risk, no matter your weight. The more you distance yourself from a sedentary lifestyle, the better — not just for your breast health, but your overall health too.

To get the recommended amount of physical exercise, follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, which include at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity five times per week and at least twice-weekly strength training sessions. 

Try to select something you enjoy, like taking a dance class, trying something new like pickleball, or simply commit to a brisk walk each day on your lunch hour. 

3. Weigh treatments containing hormones

We know you can’t turn back the clock if you used hormonal birth control methods like birth control pills or intrauterine devices (IUDs), but if your physician recommends postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT), think carefully and have an open discussion about the risk this may pose to you regarding breast cancer.

Your doctor may note that you’re at higher risk if you take HRT that contains both estrogen and progestin, while, according to studies done by the Women’s Health Initiative, estrogen-only HRT isn’t associated with a greater breast cancer risk for women with no history of the disease. The risks that accompany HRT apply whether the hormones are bioidentical (plant-based) or synthetic. 

4. Consider your reproductive history

Giving birth to your first child after age 30, or never having had a full-term pregnancy, puts you at greater risk for breast cancer. 

Again, as with hormonal methods of birth control, you can’t change if or when you gave birth by the time you reach menopause, so talk to your doctor if you’ve never had a full-term pregnancy, never gotten pregnant, or if you had children when you were over 30. 

If you’ve had children, breastfeeding lowers your risk for breast cancer.

5. Evaluate your alcohol consumption

Research shows that a woman’s breast cancer risk increases in relation to the amount of alcohol she consumes, so be mindful of how much you drink and limit your alcohol consumption or quit drinking entirely.

In addition to taking these risk factors into consideration and changing your habits if necessary, it’s critical to be proactive about your breast health by getting your yearly mammograms and being aware of any changes with your breasts. 

Pay attention to symptoms like nipple discharge, breast lumps, skin changes like rippling, changes in size or shape, and any other changes in the appearance of your breasts, which can indicate breast cancer. 

If you’re experiencing any breast cancer symptoms, Dr. Quinones typically recommends certain testing, which may include a mammogram, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bloodwork, or a sophisticated type of needle biopsy that’s guided by ultrasound.

We also provide breast cancer risk assessments where we analyze a range of risk factors. 

You’re in the best hands at Q&S Surgical. We want to support your breast health and provide you with the most advanced care possible. To schedule an appointment, call our office today or click online to book anytime.