PROTECT YOURSELF
Around four in 10 breast cancers could be prevented by changes to lifestyle, and they could also help protect you post cancer.
STAY ACTIVE.
Half an hour a day, five days a week lowers your risk of developing breast cancer by at least 20% and, according to recent research, is the most effective way of preventing breast cancer recurrence, potentially reducing the risk of dying from the disease by up to a third. Breast Cancer Care is currently looking at the best exercise programme for breast cancer patients.
WATCH YOUR WEIGHT
at every age, says Dr Michelle Harvie, research dietician at Prevent Breast Cancer. ‘Weight gain at any point in your adult life increases the risk of developing breast cancer post-menopausally, while losing weight can reduce your risk.’ In the UK, 65% of women are now overweight and 25% are obese, but losing just 5% of your weight and keeping it off could cut your risk of breast cancer by 25-40% (as well as halving your risk of type 2 diabetes and reducing stroke and heart disease risk by 30%).
TAKE A VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENT.
Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with a higher risk of breast cancer and of tumour progression in breast cancer patients. One in five of us has low levels during the winter months and the Government’s Advisory Committee on Nutrition now advise taking a 10mcg supplement from October to March.
GO EASY ON THE ALCOHOL.
A recent report found that drinking the equivalent of a small glass of wine or half a pint of beer every day could increase your pre-menopausal breast cancer risk by 5% and your post-menopausal breast cancer risk by 9%.
EAT A MEDITERRANEAN DIET.
A new study for the World Cancer Research Fund found that it could help reduce the risk of oestrogen receptor negative breast cancer by up to 40%.
ADVICE FOR YOUR DAUGHTERS.
‘There’s growing evidence that smoking and drinking, particularly pre-pregnancy, can lead to damage to the breast cells and increase the risk of cancer in later life,’ says Dr Harvie.