October is known as breast cancer awareness month, and you may notice pink ribbons just about everywhere you look. Between the ages of 20 and 30, one in 2,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. By the time they reach their 70s, one out of eight will be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the U.S. National Cancer Institute. The five-year survival rate for those who are diagnosed early is greater than 90 percent. Once breast cancer has reached stage four, that survival rate drops to just 22 percent. Even with a family history of the disease, you can take steps to significantly improve your odds.
1. Breast self-exams
The American Cancer Society has determined that BSEs can be optional, but knowing what your breasts feel like and recognizing early changes can help. Many people have found lumps this way or while in the shower, and being familiar with your own body can help you know when something isn’t right even if there is no noticeable lump.
2. Mammograms
Women over the age of 50 are advised to have regular mammograms, but experts do not fully agree about whether younger women should also have them. Breast tissue tends to be fairly dense until menopause, which can reduce the effectiveness of mammograms. While a mammogram is not a perfect screening tool, it can allow you to find a cancerous growth earlier than you might otherwise, so talk to your doctor about his or her recommendations for you.
3. Risk factors
About 30 percent of patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of the disease, for which mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are largely responsible. The other 70 percent of those who are diagnosed do not. A high BMI, exposure to toxins, older age and a sedentary lifestyle can also increase your risk.
The good news is that while there are many uncontrollable factors when it comes to breast cancer, there are also ways to keep the odds in your favor. Eat a colorful diet rich in red-orange produce and other deeply colored fruits and veggies, and incorporate omega 3 fatty acids, beans, lentils and soy milk into your diet while reducing red meat, alcohol, sugar and high-fat dairy products. Exercise three or more hours a week, and take action to cut stress, which has been shown to stimulate hormones that promote tumor growth.
Watch for symptoms that include lumps, pain or discharge from the nipple. tenderness, dimpling in the skin, unexplained swelling or shrinking in the breast tissue or a nipple that suddenly becomes partially or fully inverted. Even if your risk is lower, regular screening is vital. Men can also get breast cancer, so it is important that they discuss their personal needs with their doctors and determine an appropriate screening schedule.