October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and now is as good a time as any to be proactive about your health. Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of death in women in the United States. Here are some health tips that you can implement today to reduce your risk!
Keep Active
Keeping active, whether it’s going for a walk or lifting weights, can have great health benefits for everyone. It has been found that being physically active for at least 30 minutes a day is one of the best ways to stay in shape.
Eat Healthy
A well-balanced diet can also help keep you physically healthy. Make sure you are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. These along with fish and olive oil can help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
Take Vitamins
If you are not getting the proper vitamins from your food, you may want to start taking supplements- especially vitamin D. Studies have found that postmenopausal women with lower levels of vitamin D have a greater chance of disease recurrence.
Quit Smoking
Smoking isn’t good for anyone’s health and can increase their chances of developing many different types of cancer. Women especially who started smoking young or are long time smokers are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer.
Limit Alcohol
Those who consume greater amounts of alcohol- three or more drinks per week- have a greater chance of developing breast cancer. Research also shows that those who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer have a greater chance of disease recurrence if they are heavy drinkers. Try to limit consumption to less 3 alcoholic drinks in a week.
Get Screened
If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, you may already be at higher risk of developing the disease. When to begin mammograms and how often you get them is determined by your individual risk level. However, once you reach the age of 50, you should be having a mammogram every 2 years.