Reducing Your Risk
We don't know how to prevent breast cancer, but we do know good lifestyle habits help to reduce your risk. Approximately 38 to 42 per cent of breast cancers in countries like Canada are linked to lifestyle related risk factors. You can help reduce your risk by:
- Maintaining a healthy body weight.
- Being physically active.
- Recognizing that drinking alcohol is a risk factor - if you do drink alcohol - it's important to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
- Recognizing that using hormone replacement is a risk factor - talk to your health care provider about the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy. If you decide to take it, using the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time.
- Understanding that breastfeeding is beneficial. If you are breastfeeding your baby, continuing for as long as possible - ideally at least several months. The longer you breastfeed, the greater the protective factor.
- Eating a healthy diet
- Choosing not to smoke and avoiding exposure to second-hand smoke, and if you are a smoker, seeking help to stop smoking.
- Consider taking a vitamin D supplement.
Other Risk Factors
The highest risk factor for breast cancer in women is age. You are also at a slightly higher risk if:
- you have dense breasts
- you have a family history of cancer - only five to 10 per cent of women who develop breast cancer have a genetic risk
- you are post-menopausal
- you started your period before the age of 12
- you started menopause after age 55
- you never had a baby or had your first baby after age 30
- you never breast-fed