How to Prevent Breast Cancer

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), over 360,000 people will be diagnosed in the U.S. with breast cancer this year. Advances in prompt treatment and prevention mean that survival rates are higher than ever—but what are the best practices for detecting and preventing breast cancer?First, let’s consider who typically gets breast cancer. While people of either sex can be diagnosed with breast cancer and both sexes are born with breast tissue, cisgender women are 100 times more likely than cisgender men to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Increased age (55+), a genetic history of breast or other reproductive cancers and some environmental and lifestyle risk factors also predispose people to breast cancer—more on those criteria below.Understanding your risk for breast cancer is a crucial step in the prevention process, as screening practices depend on our unique risk levels. It’s essential to keep in mind that people can develop breast cancer even without known risk factors. Roughly 60-70% of those diagnosed with breast cancer did not have any known factors, and others with some or any risk factors never developed the disease. This means that a high genetic risk is not a guarantee of illness—and that everyone should consider taking the preventative measures within their control.

Here are a few ways to evaluate your risk level for breast cancer:Screening: Screening for breast cancer is not a one-size-fits-all approach and depends on individual risk levels, with more advanced measures recommended for those with known risk factors or histories of cancer. However, all adults should learn how to conduct a home breast self-exam: a routine that helps to detect and monitor any changes to breast tissue texture, breast and nipple color, shape and size that could connect to cancer. Learn how to perform self-exams. For screenings in a healthcare setting, the current recommendation for most women is to receive their first mammogram or X-ray examination of the breasts at age 40, with annual screenings after that. If you have dense breast tissue, detecting lumps during home exams can be more challenging—and a mammogram even more important. Other enhanced screening options include breast MRI scans for higher-risk individuals, like those with specific genetic histories. Still, these are not generally offered to most people due to the potential for over-screening. Genetic counseling: Fewer than 10% of breast cancers are genetically predisposed, and having no strong family history does not mean one cannot be at elevated risk. Genetic counseling may help individuals with:

• Strong family histories of breast cancer or other reproductive cancers, like ovarian or a strong history of multiple types of cancer on one side of the family.
• Those with an increased likelihood of certain gene mutations, like the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

Formal genetic testing and counseling should always be conducted to understand the implications of test results, as opposed to a mail-in test purchased online. A provider can refer you to a genetic counselor within your network. Learn more about genetic counseling. Hormonal history: Other risk factors besides family history include:

• Your hormonal history, particularly a body’s exposure to estrogen (a reproductive hormone) over time.
• Getting an early period (11 or younger).
• Going through menopause late (55 or older).
• Never giving birth or having babies later in reproductive years.
• The use of some hormone replacement therapies can increase the risk of breast cancer.

If you’re not sure of your hormonal history, make an appointment with your primary care provider to discuss this in greater detail. Once you understand your genetic and hormonal risk factors for breast cancer, it’s important to consider your lifestyle factors which have a direct impact on breast health. With lifestyle choices, it’s good to remember that “what’s best for the breast is best for the rest.” That is, any lifestyle habits that affect overall health and wellness also affect breast health.

Here are some of the most influential lifestyle factors to keep in mind for breast health:

• Diet: Certain foods, like ultra-processed foods (think frozen pizza, fast food or chips) and foods high in saturated fat (like red meats and some dairy products), could increase your risk of breast cancer when consumed regularly. We recommend a diet emphasizing leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and small amounts of healthy fats—but keep in mind that balance is the key to happiness. Instead of cutting out unhealthy foods entirely, remember to focus your diet on fruits, vegetables and unprocessed foods and enjoy the rest in moderation. 

• Exercise: Exercise is fantastic for reducing inflammation and improving overall physical cardiovascular health, which lowers overall cancer risk. A general guideline of 30 minutes per day is recommended and can significantly impact your broader health and wellness. 

• Smoking and Alcohol Consumption: It’s no secret that smoking cigarettes directly increases your risk of cancer, and no amount is recommended for a healthy lifestyle. Alcohol consumption is also linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, with the more alcohol consumed, the higher the risk. As with diet, we recommend alcohol as a treat to enjoy in careful moderation, if consumed at all. 

Thanks to ongoing innovations in early detection and screening, survival rates for many subsets of breast cancer are increasing with improvements in detection and treatment. Understandably, a common question we get asked in the breast health space is: what are the newest trends in detection and treatment?Artificial intelligence, or AI, is an innovation in breast cancer detection and treatment. It is specifically utilized to read mammograms. However, this is still being studied and is not ready for widespread use.We’ve also seen an overall increase in health and wellness spaces being influenced by, well, influencers. While there’s certainly useful information on social media, it’s always important to vet the sources of health information you see online, including the expertise and background of the person creating the content. Besides your healthcare team, reputable sources like the American Cancer Society and National Breast Cancer Foundation are recommended for the most accurate and up-to-date information on breast health and cancer.Our number one piece of advice for breast health is to know your risks and let that information empower you. If you’re at an age or have risk factors that support scheduling a screening or genetic counseling, see your provider for a referral. Keep an eye on your breasts at home through self-exams, and be mindful of lifestyle factors and changes that impact your overall health. And lastly, if you’ve been newly diagnosed with breast cancer, make an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible—early detection and prompt treatment save lives.

Our caregivers are here to help you navigate early detection of breast cancer and screening. Schedule an appointment for a mammogram online today. Learn more about breast health and your options for breast cancer treatment at The ChristianaCare Tatiana Copeland Breast Center.