What Can I Do If I Am At Risk for Breast Cancer?
The best thing you can do is to try to lower as many of the risks as possible. One way to do that is to make certain lifestyle changes. Remember, though, 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 percent. It’s not clear exactly how much exercise provides that protection. Most experts recommend that you get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each 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).
Some studies show that getting enough folate helps protect you against breast cancer. You should have at least 400 micrograms of folate daily. Folate-rich foods include some fruits and vegetables. Strawberries, leafy greens, and fortified cereals are all good sources. 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. Alcohol lowers folate levels.
Breast-feed your baby.
Research shows that hormones produced while breast-feeding seem to protect against breast cancer. Those who have a genetic mutation, called BRCA1, seem to gain the most benefit—up to a 45 percent reduction in breast cancer. [Source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, July 21, 2004] This is especially true if you breast-feed for one and a half to two years.
Consider taking antiestrogen drugs.
New research has shows antiestrogen drugs like Nolvadex (tamoxifen) and Evista (raloxifene) can help protect you. They do it by blocking the effects of estrogen on breast tissue. The FDA has approved Evista for breast cancer prevention in post-menopausal women. If you have a lot of risk factors for breast cancer, you may want to discuss this option with your doctor. These drugs, though, do carry their own set of risks. The risks include an increased risk for uterine cancer and blood clots.
Think about having a preventive mastectomy.
You have a surgical option if you have many risk factors for breast cancer and are extremely worried about getting it. 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. Also, any surgery carries its own set of risks. Talk about your options with your doctor before making a decision.
Consider having your ovaries removed.
If you are finished having children and have the gene linked to breast and ovarian cancer, you can choose to have your ovaries removed. This will bring on early menopause and decrease your risk of getting breast cancer. It will also decrease your risk of getting ovarian cancer. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of this procedure. Also talk about your other options for lowering your risk.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Eating more fruits and vegetables helps protect against all kinds of cancer. That includes breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute recommends that you eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Some studies show 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. It’s not clear, though, from the studies whether these vitamins protect you from breast cancer. Some studies suggest that vitamins may have a protective effect. But 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.
People who live in countries where soy is eaten regularly have a lower risk for breast cancer. Researchers think that the genistein in soy protects by blocking estrogen. Or it could simply be that people who eat more soy have other healthy lifestyle habits that help prevent breast cancer. 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. A few animal studies link high-fiber diets to fewer breast tumors. More studies, though, 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.