Choices can make a difference. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, there are steps individuals can take to help reduce breast cancer risk and support their overall health and well-being.
Dr. Kaerli Christensen, MD, at Skyline Health in White Salmon said, “Meeting with a specialized breast counselor to understand personal risk factors is a great way to create a tailored and specific screening plan appropriate to lifetime risk. Many breast cancer risk factors are outside of our control, but there are healthy lifestyle choices that can help reduce risk. By understanding your personal risk factors, staying up to date on screenings and partnering with your provider, you can take meaningful steps to support your breast health.”
Dr. Christensen explains how working with a specialized breast counselor guides appropriate recommendations for screening. For average-risk women, screening mammograms should begin at age 40 and occur each year. For high-risk women, screening is recommended to start even earlier and will include breast MRI screening in addition to yearly mammograms. For very low-risk patients, mammograms every other year could be considered.
Developing a personalized screening plan with a breast health provider is one of the most important steps individuals can take to support early detection. When breast cancer is diagnosed at earlier stages, treatment is more effective and less harmful.
Limiting alcohol consumption can help reduce breast cancer risk. Research has shown that alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, and that risk can increase with greater alcohol consumption. For those who choose to drink, cutting back can be a positive step toward better health. Small changes, such as choosing nonalcoholic beverages more often or reducing the number of drinks consumed each week, can add up over time.
Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight can also play a role in reducing breast cancer risk, particularly after menopause. A healthy weight is not defined by a single number on a scale. Everyone’s body, medical history and wellness goals are different. Working with a health care provider to identify individualized markers of a healthy weight and develop realistic goals that support long-term health can help patients focus on sustainable habits rather than quick fixes.
Although 75% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients have no known family history of the disease, family history and genetics are another piece of understanding overall breast cancer risk. Information about breast cancer and other cancers among family members can provide valuable insight for both patients and providers.
Taking care of your breast health does not have to be overwhelming. Small, consistent actions and regular conversations with your provider can go a long way in helping you stay healthy, informed and empowered.
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