FAMILY FIRST
BREAST CANCER FIGHT
In the midst of all the pink products, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great time to assess how your lifestyle affects your breast cancer risk. And while there are many environmental or genetic factors that can be out of your control, sometimes our regular habits can be the culprit as well. To help reduce your risk of breast cancer, here are some habits that you can eliminate from your life now.
�Too little sleep: Up-all-night antics may be making it hard to concentrate at work, but that ' s not the only reason to hit the hay a few hours earlier. A recent study found that maintaining quality sleep habits can reduce your risk of developing an aggressive form of breast cancer, so make sure you ' re getting enough Z ' s with our tips on how to get more sleep.
�That third glass of wine: A glass of red wine a day has been proven to( thankfully) have many diseases-fighting properties, but going overboard can have the opposite effect. A recent study found that drinking seven to 14 drinks a week( from one to two a day) increases your risk of developing breast cancer by up to 60 percent. Stick to your one-a-day glass and switch to water after you ' re done.
� Too much couch time: Relaxing after a long day at work is a much-needed part of anyone ' s day, but if you find yourself making ex- cuses to skip workouts for more sedentary plans, then you may be increasing your risk of breast cancer. Not only does obesity increase your risk of developing the disease, but also, exercise has proven to reduce your risk as well. If your couch time is getting excessive, then make time for a few minutes of heart-raising calorie burn with these fast full-body workout ideas.
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Smoking. Accumulating evidence suggests a link between smoking and breast cancer risk, particularly in premenopausal women. In addition, not smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health.
“ Assess how your lifestyle affects your breast cancer risk”
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Overweight: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer. This is especially true if obesity occurs later in life, particularly after menopause.
Exposure to radiation and environmental pollution: Medicalimaging methods, such as computerized tomography, use high doses of radiation. While more studies are needed, some research suggests a link between breast cancer and radiation exposure. Reduce your exposure by having such tests only when necessary.
Consumption of red meat: Studies have found that the risk of breast cancer rises with increasing amounts of red meat consumed. Avoiding Breast-feeding: Breastfeeding might play a role in breast cancer prevention. The longer you breast-feed, the greater the protective effect. Eating Habit: Eating a healthy diet might decrease your risk of some types of cancer, as well as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. For example, women who eat a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts might have a reduced risk of breast cancer.
— PLM Contributor