Top 20 How To Prevent Breast Cancer| Free From Breast Cancer

It is very important for everyone to know ways on how to prevent breast cancer.

In essence, breast cancer is one of the common types of cancer in women, which attacks the cells in the breast.

It results in abnormal growth of cells in the breast. This can lead to tumors, damage to the immune system, and other impairment that can be fatal.

Breast cancer can attack both men and women, although, it is rampant in women.

Advancement in technologies used in cancer diagnosis and treatment has reduced the death rate of Breast cancer victims.

Due to earlier detection, a new personalized approach to treatment and a better understanding of the disease.

 Types of breast cancer

  • Angiosarcomacancer that forms in the lining of blood vessels and lymph vessels.
  • Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) – starts in cells that line the milk ducts that transport milk to the nipple.
  • Inflammatory breast cancer- According to PubMed, it blocks some vessels that cover the breast and makes the breast red, swollen and tender.
  • Invasive lobular carcinoma– begins in the milk-producing glands of the breast (lobules).
  • Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) – is not cancer; however, being diagnosed with LCIS indicates that you have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. It is an uncommon condition in which abnormal cells forms in the lobules in the breast.
  • Male breast cancer– cancer that attacks male breasts.
  • Paget’s disease of the breast– According to PubMed, it results in the appearance of eczema, with skin changes in the nipple of the breast.
  • Recurrent breast cancer- it can come back in the same place as the original cancer after treatments or may spread to other parts of your body.

 What are the Stagings in Breast Cancer?

The cancer staging clearly indicates the extent to which the cancerous cell has spread through the body and its severity.

Each stage determines whether cancer has or has not spread or has spread to nearby organs.

It may also take into account the number and size of the tumors. According to PubMed, the following are the stages of breast cancer.

  1. Occult, or hidden: Cancer does not show on imaging scans, but cancerous cells might appear in the phlegm or mucus and may have reached other parts of the body.
  2. In Stage 0: The doctor finds abnormal cells only in the top layers of cells lining the airways.
  3. Stage I: A tumor has developed, but is less than 5 centimeters (cm) and has not spread to other parts of the body.
  4. In Stage II: The tumor is smaller than 5 cm and might have spread to the tissues around the affected area, or smaller than 7 cm and spread to nearby tissues but not lymph nodes.
  5. Stage III: Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and reached other parts of the organs and surrounding area.
  6. Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant body parts, such as the bones or brain.

Causes of Breast Cancer

The cause of breast cancer that leads to uncontrollable growth and cell division is very harmful to health.

These abnormal cells divide, accumulate, and spread to nearby organs at a faster rate.

Causes of breast cancer

Furthermore, the Doctors say that mutations in the abnormal cells’ DNA cause the cells to grow and divide more rapidly than normal cells do.

Nevertheless, the developed cells due to this abnormality usually stay alive while another normal cell perishes or dies.

These cells can cause tumors and other impairments to the neighborhood tissues.

The main causes of breast cancer are hormones, poor diet, sedentary lifestyles, and environmental factors.

However, there is no clear evidence why individuals who have no risk factors develop cancer, yet those with high risks never do.

     1. Is cancer Genetics?

This is one of the causes of breast cancer. Family background is another key factor.

If a parent has these genes, they may pass on the altered instructions to their offspring.

Genetic code controls the growth of cells and expires. Therefore, changes in the genes can lead to alteration of cell’ DNA and cancer can develop.

Furthermore, Genes can affect the cells’ production of proteins, being that proteins carry out various functions in order for cellular growth and division.

Finally, a person can inherit a predisposition for a type of cancer. A doctor may refer to this as having a hereditary cancer syndrome.

Inherited genetic mutations significantly contribute to the development of 5–10 percent of cancer cases.

    2. Age

Another cause of breast cancer is age. Breast cancer is common in old age individuals as compared to the young generation, especially 45 years and above.

The body muscle becomes weak at old age therefore, you can develop cancer. According to various studies, breast cancer increases as your age increases.

    3. Gender

Breast cancer is more popular among women as compared to men.

The female is more likely to develop breast cancer according to various conducted studies.

   4. Medication History

Individual medication background may increase your chances of developing cancer, especially breast conditions.

For instance, if you had a biopsy that found lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia of the breast, then you may have a high risk of breast cancer.

   5. How Obesity can lead to cancer

The overweight factor in both women and men and even in obese children can lead to impairment and tumors.

According to studies, being that obesity is caused by abnormal cell division, the chances of developing cancer may be high.

In addition, a diagnosed obese person with breast cancer may develop fatal complications that may be difficult to treat.

    6. Radiation Exposure

Radiation therapy may as well increase your chances of developing cancer.

For instance, if you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child or young adult, your risk of breast cancer is higher compared to an individual who has not gone through it.

   7. Early Menstruation

Young girls beginning their period before 12 years old may increase their chances of developing breast cancer.

   8. Late Menopause

This is very common in women who start their menopause after 50 years instead of 45 years old.

According to research, if you began menopause at an older age, then you are more likely to develop breast cancer.

   9. Having Your First Child At An Older Age.

Women who give their first birth at an older age either because of schooling or single may be at risk of developing cancer.

For instance, women who give birth to their first child after age 30 may have an increased risk of breast cancer.

   10. Barren Women

The cause of breast cancer is also related to women who are barren.

For instance, a woman who has never been pregnant has a greater risk of breast cancer than those women who have had one or more pregnancies.

   11. Poor Dietary and Sedentary Life.

Eating an unbalanced diet can cause cancer.

For instance, consuming broiler chicken, broiler chicken is injected with harmful chemicals and antibiotics that are harmful to your health.

furthermore, a man who drinks excess alcohol and even to women who drink alcoholic fluids increases their risk of cancer.

Therefore, avoiding alcoholic drinks is the best option to prevent cancer.

    12. Can Physical inactivity Cause cancer?

Yes, a lack of physical exercise can increase the chances of getting breast cancer.

Everyone needs to perform some aerobic exercise.

In addition, inactivity results in weak muscles. Studies reveal that cancer is more common in elderly groups as compared to young people.

This is due to physical inactivity.

   13. Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy.

Women who take hormone therapy medications that combine estrogen and progesterone to treat the signs and symptoms of menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer.

The risk of breast cancer decreases when women stop taking these medications.

    14. Race

Other causes of cancer but with insufficient evidence, black people tend to be at higher risks as compared to other races.

In addition to that, breast cancer seems to be aggressive or advanced in black people as compared to other races.

Symptoms of breast cancer

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer are as follows:

  • A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
  • Change in the size, shape, or appearance of a breast
  • Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling
  • A newly inverted nipple
  • Peeling, scaling, crusting, or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin
  • Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange.

How to Prevent Breast Cancer

Remember prevention is better than cure, therefore take action today, and prevent breast cancer.

Below are the measures to adhere to:

how to prevent breast cancer

     1. Cancer Screening

Visit nearby healthcare and ask for breast cancer screening, do not wait until it is too late when you run for a consultation.

Clinical breast exams and mammograms are all you need. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of screening.

Therefore, you can decide what breast cancer screening strategies are right for you.

     2. Regular Exercise

 Physical inactivity increases your risk of developing cancer, therefore, make sure you perform some aerobic exercise at least two times a week.

More so, regular exercise improves your overall health, helps you maintain your weight, and improves your moods and brain functions.

Note: Before starting exercise, especially when you are above 50 years old, you need to visit a nearby healthcare center for medical checkups.

     3. Well-Balanced Healthy Diet

A healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables is all that you need. Avoid saturated fats in your diet, and processed and refined products.

You can also choose a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains has the most appropriate food.

Processed food contains harmful chemicals that can rapidly cause cancer.

Eating a well-balanced diet does not mean including all the food types in your meal, however, it means checking the correct amount of nutrients you eat.

It is very important to check the food labels and read them carefully, to ensure you avoid saturated fats and harmful substances in your diet.

Finally, avoid alcoholic drinks.

   4. Avoid the Use of Supplements

A good number of people use protein shakes and other dietary supplements to either reduce weight, gain weight, increase performance and other related gains.

However, these supplements may contain harmful chemicals like antibiotics that may increase your risk of cancer.

Always choose healthy foods over supplements.

Related: Top 15 Advantages And Disadvantages Of Supplements

    5. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight and obesity increases your risk of breast cancer and other common cancers.

Therefore, it is important to maintain a healthy weight. You can do this by checking your body mass index (BMI).

After that, do some exercise at least two times a week.

If you need to lose weight, include weight lifting and cardio exercise and reduce the number of calories you eat every day.

You need to visit a healthcare professional for assistance on how to create a plan for healthy weight loss.

    6. Awareness of Symptoms

Become familiar with your breasts through regular breast self-exam for breast awareness.

If there is a new change, lumps, or other unusual signs and symptoms in your breasts, talk to your doctor promptly.

This will help in the early treatment of cancer.

   7. Limit Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy

Combination hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer.

Therefore, always ensure you communicate with your doctor about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy.

To reduce the risk, use the lowest dose of hormone therapy possible for the shortest amount of time.