Breast Health: Lifestyle Habits to Follow

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed every October and Dr Ashish Goel talks about Breast Health. Every year, throughout the full month of October, a number of breast cancer-related charities and organisations come together to collect money for research into the causes, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of the disease.

Healthy behaviours are the first step in preventing breast cancer; you can reduce your risk by being physically active, drinking less alcohol, and eating nourishing foods. There are some aspects of breast cancer that you can manage and some that are completely out of your control, just as in everyday life.

Here are some tips for avoiding breast cancer:

  1. Balanced Nutrition: Eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats is important for your general health, including the health of your breasts. Include colourful, nutrient-dense foods in your diet to stay healthy.
  2. Regular Exercise: Being physically active on a regular basis not only makes you fitter overall, but it also helps you keep a healthy weight. It has been shown that women who work out daily are less likely to get breast cancer. Aim to do 150 minutes of moderately hard exercise every week.
  3. Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Limiting alcohol is a good way to improve breast health. A higher risk of breast cancer has been linked to drinking too much alcohol. If you do decide to drink, take it easy. Women should only have one drink a day, according to the rules.
  4. Don’t smoke: Staying
    away from tobacco products is good for your lungs and may help lower your risk of getting breast cancer. Smoking has been associated with an increased risk, particularly in premenopausal women.
  5. Maintain a Healthy Weight:
    Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for breast cancer, especially in postmenopausal women. Maintaining a healthy weight is easier when you live a healthy life with a balanced food and regular exercise.
  6. For moms, nursing has been linked to a lower risk of getting breast cancer. You should try to breastfeed your baby if you can. It is good for both the baby and the mother’s breast health.
  7. Regular Self-Exams: Doing regular breast self-exams is a good way to stay in touch with your body. Get used to how your breasts should look and feel so that you can notice any changes or problems right away.
  8. Stress management: Long-term stress can have an effect on your health as a whole, and there is evidence that stress may be linked to breast cancer. Add stress-relieving activities like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to your daily schedule.
  9. Adequate Sleep: Getting enough good sleep is important for your health in general, and it can also help keep your breasts healthy. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of good sleep every night to let your body heal and recharge.
  10. Be cautious about HRT: Breast cancer risk is increased when hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used after menopause. Make careful to discuss the hazards of HRT with your doctor, as well as if it’s appropriate for you.

The following is a list of possible risk factors to watch out for:

  • Being a woman
  • Risk increases after age 40
  • Personal medical background
  • Breast tissue that is dense
  • Bad lifestyle choices

Breast cancer can be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle, being aware of your risks, and getting checked frequently.

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