How can I reduce the risk of getting breast cancer

The good news is that some of the risk factors can be modified in order reduce the risk of breast cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body..

General Lifestyle

• Avoid becoming overweight after the menopauseThe time of a woman’s life when her ovaries stop releasing an egg (ovum) on a monthly cycle..

• Undertake regular exercise and increase physical activity (a minimum of 1 hour per week).

• Avoid excessive alcohol intake – try not to drink more than 6 units of alcohol per week   (equivalent to one glass of wine per day).

• Reduce the intake of animal fatOne of the three main food constituents (with carbohydrate and protein), and the main form in which energy is stored in the body. and red meat (especially overcooked red meat)

• Eat more fish (excluding farmed salmon)

• Replace full-fat dairy products with low-fat dairy products

• Increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables especially: cranberries, blueberries, watercress, broccoli, raspberries, cherries, red grapes, and pomegranates. These fruits can be also taken as fresh juice drinks with no added artificial ingredients (e.g. fresh smoothies ).

• Increase the intake of green tea.

• Increase the intake of olive oil.

Comment: There is no credible scientific evidence that underarm cosmetics and low-fat dairy products increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Soya products seem to be neutral i.e. they cause neither harm nor benefit regarding breast cancer.

Hormonal

• Avoid taking HRTAbbreviation for hormone replacement therapy, the administration of female hormones in cases where they are not sufficiently produced by the body. after the menopauseThe time when a woman's periods permanently cease. and try to use alternatives to HRT.

• Try to have your first child before the age of 30 years and avoid pregnancythe period from conception to birth after the age of 40 years.

Other Ways (for Women at High Risk)

• Anti-oestrogenA hormone involved in female sexual development, produced by the ovaries. drugs, such as tamoxifen (a breast cancer drug) and raloxifene (used to protect post-menopausalAfter the menopause - technically only once a woman has had no menstrual period for one year. women from developing osteoporosisA condition resulting in brittle bones due to loss of bony tissue.), have been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer by 50–75%. However, further research is needed before these drugs can be recommended for breast cancer prevention.

• Preventative mastectomy (removal of the whole breast) seems to reduce the risk of breast cancer by 90% in high-risk women, such as those who carry breast cancer genes.

• Preventive oophorectomy (removal of the ovariesFemale reproductive organs situated one on either side of the uterus (womb). They produce egg cells (ova) and hormones in a monthly cycle.) also decreases the risk of developing breast cancer in BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 gene carriers.

• Recent research suggests that aspirinOne of the most used medicines.-like drugs, such as Neurofen, may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. Further research is needed before these drugs can be recommended for breast cancer prevention.

• A new breast cancer drug called Arimidex has been found to be better than tamoxifen in preventing breast cancer in the opposite breast among postmenopausal women with breast cancer, but further research is needed.

Breast Screening

What is the Purpose of Breast Screening?

The aim of breast screeningA way to identify people who may have a certain condition, among a group of people who may or may not seem to is to detect breast cancer at an early stage in women who appear well and do not have any symptoms of the disease. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the more likely it is to be treatable.

The screening methods currently used include:

• Breast examination by a doctor.

• Digital Mammography (breast X-rayA type of electromagnetic radiation used to produce images of the body.). This remains the gold standard

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRIAn abbreviation for magnetic resonance imaging, a technique for imaging the body that uses electromagnetic waves and a strong magnetic field.)

Annual digital mammographyA diagnostic and screening test using low-dose X-rays to detect breast tumours is recommended for women aged 40-50 years, thereafter screening mammography can be carried out every 18 months. Ultrasound examination may be added to mammography in women with dense breasts. MRI is recommended in young women (30 -50 years of age) who are at a high risk because of family history.