October is the month of the fight against breast cancer, a disease that, for many years, has affected mostly women, becoming the leading cause of death of women in the world. In this article, we tell you 5 tips that can help you to adopt healthier habits in your life, in order to avoid developing this type of cancer.

Although breast cancer can also affect men, this disease is usually more common in women. In fact, according to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 1 in 12 women may develop breast cancer at some point in their lives.

Breast cancer is a serious issue that, if not treated properly, can lead to the death of the sufferer. However, an early diagnosis can help counteract the progression of the disease and achieve a full recovery.

At Formé Medical Center, we care about your health and can help you keep a 100% healthy life. Schedule an annual checkup with us to rule out the disease, or call us at 914-723-4900 to provide you with the quality care you need.

Can breast cancer be prevented?

Although there are several genetic causes that can increase the risk of breast cancer, as well as other unavoidable risk factors such as family and/or medical history, there are also so-called “preventable” risk factors that can be decreased by adopting certain healthy habits such as the ones mentioned below:

Limit alcohol consumption

Alcohol is one of the most harmful substances for the organism. Several studies have shown that this type of vice can be the cause of several serious diseases, which can endanger your life.

One of these diseases is breast cancer. So, if you are a constant drinker and want to reduce the risk of breast cancer, the best decision is to completely eliminate this type of beverage from your life. Keep in mind that even in small amounts, alcohol can boost your risk of the disease.

Avoid cigarettes

Just like alcohol, smoking is also a vice that can cause significant damage to your health, including increasing your risk of breast cancer. In fact, several studies have now established a link between smoking and breast cancer risk, particularly in premenopausal women.

For this reason, in the fight against breast cancer, one of the most important focuses to reduce the number of cases of this type of disease is the call to avoid smoking at any age, especially when there is a family history that may increase the risk.

Choose a healthy diet

A healthy diet can reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Among the types of cancer that can be avoided, breast cancer is one of the most prominent.

Women who eat a diet based on vegetables and small amounts of meat or poultry with extra virgin olive oil and nuts may have a reduced risk of breast cancer. This type of diet is also known as “Mediterranean,” and includes other healthy supplements such as fruits and vegetables, and legumes.

Exercise your body consistently

Physical activity can help you maintain a normal body mass index, a factor that can limit your risk of breast cancer, especially when you are well into your adulthood.

For most healthy adults, about 2.5 hours of moderate aerobic activity per week is recommended at a minimum, so your body can stay healthy and ready to fight off any disease.

Perform a regular self-examination

When it comes to cancer prevention, one of the best practices you can do on your own is to perform a breast self-exam. This way, in case you detect any abnormality or pain in the breast area, you can immediately go to a doctor’s appointment to verify if it really is a cancerous lesion.

Early diagnosis can save your life. Be sure to check yourself monthly, so you can neutralize any symptoms that may be directly related to an early diagnosis of breast cancer.

In the month of the fight against breast cancer, at Formé we join the voice of millions of women who today face this disease, and we bet on a society with greater knowledge about the practices that can help prevent breast cancer.

If you need medical attention to rule out any symptoms you observe in your body, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with us or call 914-723-4900 so you can receive quality care from our medical team.