October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but it’s important for us women to think about it and support our fellow women year round. When we have the knowledge, we have the power. And we can handle anything.
Breast Cancer Risk
Who’s at risk for breast cancer? Risk factors for breast cancer include being a woman and aging. There are a few risk factors like these that are out of our control. Some women are at a higher risk due to factors like family history or inherited genes. That’s why we should all be aware of our risk and perform self-exams monthly, as well as keep up with our mammograms and doctor-recommended screenings.
Prevention of Breast Cancer
What can we do? Well, there are some risk factors we do have control over and measures we can take to help prevent them. Here are some things we can do throughout our lives to decrease our risk of getting breast cancer:
- Stay physically active
- Maintain a healthy weight after menopause
- Assess the risk before taking hormones
- Breastfeed your baby, if possible
- Reduce alcohol consumption
While these are general things we can all incorporate into our lives to reduce our risk, it’s important to know what’s best for you and your body. Talk with your doctor about ways to reduce your risk.
Stay in the know. Stay strong. Stay you.
