What Can I Do If I Am At Risk... Health Article

What can you do if you are at risk for breast cancer? See “Am I At Risk for Breast Cancer” for a list of risk factors. The best thing you can do is to try to lower as many of the risks as possible, such as by making certain lifestyle changes. Remember, however, that in some cases, more studies are needed to confirm which of these can have the greatest impact.

Drink less alcohol.

Try to limit yourself to less than one drink per day.

Exercise.

Regular exercise can lower your risk of getting breast cancer by as much as 20%. It’s not clear exactly how much exercise provides that protection. But most experts recommend that you get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. This includes activities like brisk walking, biking, and swimming. The younger you are when you start exercising regularly, the more protection you get.

Get enough folate (folic acid).

There is some evidence that getting enough folate helps protect you against getting breast cancer. You should have at least 400 micrograms of folate daily. Folate-rich foods include some fruits and vegetables, including strawberries and leafy greens, and fortified cereals. If you don’t eat enough of these foods, take a multivitamin that contains folate. If you drink alcohol regularly, pay special attention to this advice because alcohol lowers folate levels.

Breast-feed your baby.

Research shows that the hormones you produce while breast-feeding appear to protect against breast cancer. Those who have a genetic mutation, called BRCA1, appear to gain the greatest benefit, up to a 45% reduction in breast cancer.¹ This is especially true if you breast-feed for 1.5 to 2 years.

Consider taking antiestrogen drugs.

New research has shown that antiestrogen drugs like Nolvadex (tamoxifen) and Evista (raloxifene) help block the effects of estrogen on breast tissue. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved Evista for breast cancer prevention. If you have a lot of risk factors for breast cancer, you may want to discuss this option with your doctor. However, these drugs do carry their own set of risks, including an increased risk for uterine cancer and blood clots.

Think about having a preventive mastectomy.

If you have many risk factors for breast cancer and you’re extremely worried about getting the disease, you can choose to have one or both of your breasts removed. This is called a preventive or prophylactic mastectomy. But keep in mind that this procedure doesn’t guarantee you won’t get breast cancer. That’s because it’s impossible to remove all of your breast tissue. And remember that any surgery carries its own set of risks. Discuss your options carefully with your doctor before making a decision.

Consider having your ovaries removed.

If you are finished having children and you have the gene that’s linked to breast cancer, you can choose to have your ovaries removed. This will bring on early menopause, which decreases your risk of getting breast cancer. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of this procedure and your other options for lowering your risk.

Eat more fruits and vegetables.

Studies have shown that eating more fruits and vegetables helps protect against all kinds of cancer, including breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute recommends that you eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. And some research shows that the more colorful an array of fruits and vegetables you eat, the more protection you gain.

Take antioxidants.

Nutrients called antioxidants—like vitamins A, C, and E and selenium— may help protect your body’s cells from changing abnormally. However, it’s not clear from the studies whether these vitamins protect you from breast cancer. Although some studies suggest that vitamins may have a protective effect, research has yielded conflicting results, and there is little evidence of an association between breast cancer and the other vitamins and minerals studied.

Eat soy in moderation.

Studies have shown that people who live in countries where soy is eaten regularly have a lower risk for breast cancer. Researchers think that the genistein in soy does this by blocking estrogen. Or it could simply mean that people who eat more soy have other healthy lifestyle habits that help prevent breast cancer. But some studies show that eating too much soy could actually increase your risk of getting breast cancer.

Try ginseng.

Not much research has been done on humans, but a few animal studies have shown that ginseng may help block estrogen and lower breast cancer risk. More research is needed, though.

Get more fiber.

Some research has shown that fiber may help lower the absorption of estrogen in the intestines. And a few animal studies link high-fiber diets to fewer breast tumors. However, more studies are needed. In the meantime, fiber has other health benefits, so getting more fiber is worthwhile. High-fiber foods include fruits and vegetables, bran, oats, and other whole grains. Aim for at least 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables.  Also eat a diet rich in whole grains and legumes.