10 tips to help prevent breast cancer effectively

Posted by Specialist Doctor I Le Thi Nha Hien - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Nha Trang International Hospital

Many people think that cancer is purely genetic and inevitable, but that is not true. According to the American Cancer Society, healthy behaviors can prevent about half of breast cancer deaths.

Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant tumors develop in breast cells. A malignant tumor is a collection of cancer cells that can multiply very quickly in surrounding tissues, or can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Breast cancer mostly occurs in women. However, in rare cases, men can also get this condition.
Early warning signs of breast cancer include:
Chest or breast pain; Abnormally large breasts; A lump in the breast; Swollen axillary lymph nodes; Skin changes in the breast area; Nipple reduction, changes in the skin around the nipples

Here are 10 lifestyle changes, all based on the latest research, that can improve breast cancer prevention. Cancer prevention advice comes from Dr. Anne McTiernan of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.
Do not smoke or use any other tobacco products. Get regular cancer screenings (colon, breast, prostate, cervical and skin exams are recommended – see age to screen for cancers). Finding cancer early can greatly increase the chances of a cure and reduce the risk of dying from the disease. Keep alcohol consumption low: This means no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women. Keeping alcohol to a daily minimum doesn't mean you can go all your drinks for a week and binge on a Friday night. Protect your skin from the sun: Use sunscreen every time you go outside (preferably one with SPF 30 or higher to protect against both UVA and UVB rays). Always cover with a wide hat and sunglasses. Stay active: You don't have to be an athlete to get the benefits of exercise. Activities like brisk walking, biking, dancing, or any exercise that increases your heart rate and makes you sweat will be beneficial in preventing breast cancer. Keep your weight within normal limits for your height. That means maintaining a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or less. (You can calculate your BMI using an online calculator.) Try to stay within 2.3kg-4.5kg of your weight at the age of 18.

Avoid menopausal hormone therapy: If you need to take hormones, limit use to less than 5 years to prevent breast cancer. Consider taking medication after consulting your doctor to reduce your risk of breast cancer. There are several drugs that have been tested and shown to be effective in preventing breast cancer. Avoid exposure to carcinogens: Exposure to radiation and certain chemicals is known to cause breast cancer. Therefore, to effectively prevent breast cancer, it is necessary to avoid exposure to carcinogens. A healthy diet helps prevent breast cancer: The role of diet in cancer is still undetermined, but research shows that a plant-based diet is associated with reduced risk for some cancers, especially for colon cancer. The guidelines include: Maintain no more than 113.4 grams of red meat (the size of a deck of cards) per day; avoid processed meats such as hot dogs and bacon; eat a variety of non-starchy vegetables and fruits each day, at least five servings; and minimize the intake of sugary drinks, juices, desserts and candies, refined breads and bagels, and chips. Currently, to join hands in "Say no to breast cancer", Vinmec International General Hospital has built a breast cancer screening package including: Breast examination with an oncologist or a gynecologist; Mammogram (2 sides); 2D breast ultrasound on both sides.,..
Advantages of breast cancer screening at Vinmec:
Team of highly qualified and experienced doctors. Comprehensive professional cooperation with domestic and international hospitals: Singapore, Japan, USA, .. Comprehensive treatment and care, multi-specialty coordination towards individualizing each patient. Having a full range of specialized facilities to diagnose the disease and stage it before treatment: Endoscopy, CT scan, PET-CT scan, MRI, histopathological diagnosis, gene-cell testing, .. There are full range of main cancer treatment methods: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, stem cell transplant... Breast cancer screening package at Vinmec for the following subjects:
Female customers, over 40 years old. Customers wishing to be able to screen for breast cancer Customers are at high risk of cancer – especially customers with a family history of breast cancer. Women of reproductive age, perimenopause and menopause. Women who are having symptoms of breast cancer such as: pain in the breast, lump in the breast ...

Reference source: Live Science Staff