Breast Cancer Prevention Tips

Introduce Cancer Fighting Foods Into Your Diet

For those who have multiple high risk factors for breast cancer, a dietary change is one way you can lower your risk. Does that mean never eating a jelly donut again? No, not at all! The most damage is done when you develop chronically bad nutritional habits, like starting every day off with a couple jelly donuts. The keys to lowering your breast cancer risk through nutrition are developing good habits and enjoying bad habits in moderation. Thanksgiving weekend should be enjoyed, and so should birthday cake (make mine chocolate) and occasional treats. And it’s never too late to start eating right. Start with a few tiny changes. Carry a piece of fruit in your purse to avoid unplanned trips through the fast food line because you are famished. Keep some baby carrots in the fridge to munch on in between meals. Or maybe it would be easier for you to quit one bad habit, like French Fries, and replace them with a leafy salad. I can hear your pain – before my cancer diagnosis, I believed French Fries were a perfectly acceptable side dish to every meal. The human body can tolerate a lot of abuse. Just consider what happens when a smoker kicks the habit. That person’s risk of heart disease starts diminishing almost immediately! The U.S. government’s National Cancer Institute estimates that “35 percent of cancer deaths are related to poor eating habits.” Remember, what you are serving for dinner not only nourishes your body and soul, but also the bodies and souls of the family and friends who gather around your table. Give yourself and the people important to you an extra helping of nourishment by introducing nutritious cancer-fighting foods into your diet.

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Susan G. Komen “Race for the Cure”: More than a Fundraiser for Breast Cancer

Over 1 million people are expected to participate in this year's Susan G. Komen “Race for the Cure” (www.komen.org). This race is “the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world.” At least 25% of the funds raised in a local race goes towards funding breast cancer research with the remaining 75% staying in the local community to fight breast cancer. After Kristin Hauge, 22, participated in her second Race Day in Indianapolis, Indiana, she said, “It was cool to be among 40,000 people with positive energy, celebrating life.” Kristin, whose maternal grandmother and mother are both breast cancer survivors added, “It was a chance to honor my family members, and a chance for me, personally, to help raise money for a cure.” Kristin's grandmother, Dorothy Gambrel, said, “I walked in the race the first year after my diagnosis. It's hard to describe the feeling of being there among all of those survivors. People were on the sidelines cheering for us. It was overwhelming . . . and it gave me hope.” Race for the Cure is more than a race to raise funds for breast cancer, it's an opportunity for those affected by breast cancer to meet for support, strength and to celebrate life.

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Breast Cancer

It is a good idea to do your best to strive for breast cancer prevention. If you were doing this already, then it would be known that what you eat is important. Some studies have shown promise that women whose diets are rich in omega-3 fatty acids could be at lower risk for getting breast cancer and dying from it. Omega-3 fatty acids are those "good" fats you may have heard of, present in a food like fish. As yet, omega-3 fatty acids are not considered a proven way to prevent breast cancer. If you are considering eating more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids or taking a supplement, there may be health benefits, but you should talk to your doctor first.

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Soy Products and Breast Cancer

Scientists are interested in the connection between soy and breast cancer, and are actively studying, the possibility that soy might affect the likelihood of getting it or recovering from it. At this point, there is certainly no concrete evidence to say that eating tofu everyday will prevent breast cancer. If you are currently being treated for breast cancer or are post-menopausal, some researchers have hypothesized that soy could actually have the opposite effect, possibly impeding treatment or increasing the likelihood of getting breast cancer. But since nothing at all has been proven so far, it is best to seek the advice of your doctor if you are concerned.

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Steps You Can Take to Reduce Breast Cancer Recurrence

If you are being treated for breast cancer, you are probably already doing everything you can to prevent its recurrence. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and follow-up therapy with medication seem to be medicine's best tools to stop the cancer from recurring. Remember that if staying slim, fit, and healthy was important to reduce risk of breast cancer in the first place, these things are certainly still important in the effort to prevent breast cancer from coming back.

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Lee National Denim Day Breaking the Rules to Fight Breast Cancer

On October 6, 2006, Lee Jeans will celebrate 11 years of raising awareness and funds for breast cancer. To date, Lee National Denim Day has raised $61.5 million dollars for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Companies and organizations nationwide participate by allowing employees and members to wear denim in exchange for a $5 donation to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Jennifer Crabtree, office manager of a mid-size law firm said, “Our firm has a strict policy to never allow jeans in the workplace with one exception, Lee National Denim Day. It seems that every woman knows someone who has had breast cancer. Since our office is predominately women, I think everyone felt it was important to give to this cause, and they got to break the rules for one day. Jennifer said that she had 100% participation from the women in her office in 2005. Debbie Skeen, Human Resource Assistant for a national trucking insurance company added, “We usually get very good response because, of course, these folks here will do anything to be allowed to wear jeans!” Registration for this event opens on June 1, 2006. To participate, sign up at Lee National Denim Day (http://www.denimday.com/signup.asp) or by calling 1-800-944-5633.

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Breast Cancer Prevention and Concerns About Children

One of the most terrifying aspects of breast cancer is the effect it might have on children. Fears of leaving young children motherless can be agonizing. If you have older children, you may begin to fear that they, too, will get cancer. However, if you have not started a family yet, but feel you are at a high risk for breast cancer, you may wonder if it is wise to have children at all?

If you fall into the latter category, cast your fears aside. Having multiple children early in life can decrease your risk of breast cancer. If you already have children and breast cancer, sit down and talk to your kids about your diagnosis, whatever their age. Even very young children feel better when problems are explained to them at a level they understand. Adult children can be a tremendous support system if you have been diagnosed with cancer, and if they are aware of your diagnosis, their risk will be higher, and they will be more likely to take the steps that can help prevent or be tested for breast cancer.

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Mastectomy as a Breast Cancer Prevention Technique

To some women, it sounds like a sure-fire course of action: "I will have my breasts removed, and then at least I know I will never get breast cancer." Even if you have a mastectomy, though, there is a possibility that cancer can still arise in small amounts of breast tissue that might be left behind. Meanwhile, the psychological repercussions of such a surgery would be considerable. It is also important to keep in mind that your insurance company may not be willing to pay for a mastectomy in a woman who has not been diagnosed with breast cancer. Before resorting to drastic measures such as this, learn about preventing breast cancer and do all you can to protect yourself. If breast cancer has not yet made an appearance, you have plenty of time to decide what to do about breasts that are perfectly healthy, and may remain so for the rest of your life.

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Reducing Breast Cancer Risk May Be the Closest Thing to Prevention

Breast cancer prevention is an important topic. For now, the best defense is to learn about preventing breast cancer and to take all the steps possible to do so.

Scientists recommend lowering risk factors by staying slender, exercising, eating fruits and vegetables, and avoiding (or at least limiting) alcohol consumption. But some women who do all of these things will get breast cancer anyway. Someday, that factor to prevent breast cancer may be found. Until then, live healthy, and try to limit your thoughts of breast cancer to a few days a year, such as the day you schedule your mammogram.

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Introduce Cancer Fighting Foods Into Your Diet

For those who have multiple high risk factors for breast cancer, a dietary change is one way you can lower your risk. Does that mean never eating a jelly donut again? No, not at all! The most damage is done when you develop chronically bad nutritional habits, like starting every day off with a couple jelly donuts. The keys to lowering your breast cancer risk through nutrition are developing good habits and enjoying bad habits in moderation. Thanksgiving weekend should be enjoyed, and so should birthday cake (make mine chocolate) and occasional treats. And it's never too late to start eating right. Start with a few tiny changes. Carry a piece of fruit in your purse to avoid unplanned trips through the fast food line because you are famished. Keep some baby carrots in the fridge to munch on in between meals. Or maybe it would be easier for you to quit one bad habit, like French Fries, and replace them with a leafy salad. I can hear your pain – before my cancer diagnosis, I believed French Fries were a perfectly acceptable side dish to every meal. The human body can tolerate a lot of abuse. Just consider what happens when a smoker kicks the habit. That person's risk of heart disease starts diminishing almost immediately! The U.S. government's National Cancer Institute estimates that “35 percent of cancer deaths are related to poor eating habits.” Remember, what you are serving for dinner not only nourishes your body and soul, but also the bodies and souls of the family and friends who gather around your table. Give yourself and the people important to you an extra helping of nourishment by introducing nutritious cancer-fighting foods into your diet.

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Certain Medications May Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer

It is important to learn about preventing breast cancer. There are certain drugs you can explore in an effort to prevent breast cancer from happening to you. Probably the most familiar possibility is Tamoxifen, commonly prescribed after breast cancer treatment and believed to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer in the first place. But you should know that medications do not come with a complete guarantee. Tamoxifen is controversial when used as a prevention strategy, because it can cause side effects like blood clots and increased risk of other types of cancers. If you are considering preventive drug therapy, it is wise to get genetically tested to help determine what your breast cancer risk actually is. Only after extensive discussion with your doctor, can you accurately weigh the risks and potential benefits to make the decision that is right for you.

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Introduce Cancer Fighting Foods Into Your Diet

For those who have multiple high risk factors for breast cancer, a dietary change is one way you can lower your risk. Does that mean never eating a jelly donut again? No, not at all! The most damage is done when you develop chronically bad nutritional habits, like starting every day off with a couple jelly donuts. The keys to lowering your breast cancer risk through nutrition are developing good habits and enjoying bad habits in moderation. Thanksgiving weekend should be enjoyed, and so should birthday cake (make mine chocolate) and occasional treats. And it's never too late to start eating right. Start with a few tiny changes. Carry a piece of fruit in your purse to avoid unplanned trips through the fast food line because you are famished. Keep some baby carrots in the fridge to munch on in between meals. Or maybe it would be easier for you to quit one bad habit, like French Fries, and replace them with a leafy salad. I can hear your pain – before my cancer diagnosis, I believed French Fries were a perfectly acceptable side dish to every meal. The human body can tolerate a lot of abuse. Just consider what happens when a smoker kicks the habit. That person's risk of heart disease starts diminishing almost immediately! The U.S. government's National Cancer Institute estimates that “35 percent of cancer deaths are related to poor eating habits.” Remember, what you are serving for dinner not only nourishes your body and soul, but also the bodies and souls of the family and friends who gather around your table. Give yourself and the people important to you an extra helping of nourishment by introducing nutritious cancer-fighting foods into your diet.

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Choose from Foods That Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk Factor

Eating the right foods will not prevent you from getting breast cancer, but it will lower your breast cancer risk factor. No one knows one true cause of breast cancer but scientist have pinpointed two major risk factors that can't be changed: 1) being female and 2) getting older. As the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American women, each step you take to reduce the chance that you may get breast cancer is a step in the right direction. Reducing your breast cancer risk by choosing cancer-fighting foods couldn't be easier. Decrease the amount of fat you eat and increase your fruits and vegetables. Excess fat can promote abnormal cell division which may increase your risk of colon and breast cancer. You can substantially decrease your fat intake by choosing less red meat, low-fat dairy products and trimming excess fat from meats before cooking. And don't worry so much about eating the “right” cancer fighting fruit and vegetables. That seems to change with every new media headline. Focus, instead, on simply choosing more fruits and vegetables in any variety you wish. They are rich in natural antioxidants, high in fiber and low in fat. When you choose from foods that reduce your breast cancer risk factor, you strengthen your immune system and are choosing a great defense against a breast cancer diagnosis.

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