3 ways to fight breast cancer
While certain risk factors for breast cancer (such as age and family history) are out of your control, there may be steps you can take to help prevent cancer, or at least detect it at an earlier, more treatable stage.
- Be active. Studies show that regular physical activity can help reduce a woman’s risk for breast cancer. One study from the Women’s Health Initiative revealed that 1¼ to 2½ hours of brisk walking per week reduced a woman’s risk by 18 percent. Make time in your schedule for a brisk walk most days of the week and find ways to build physical activity into your daily routines. One easy change is to take the stairs instead of the elevator when possible.
- Stay at a healthy weight. Being overweight, especially after menopause, can increase your risk for breast cancer by raising your estrogen levels. Learn how to make healthier eating choices and lose weight.
- Get screened. Regular mammograms are your best defense against breast cancer because early detection can increase your chances of survival. Find out when you should be screened for breast cancer.
Early detection saved the life of Kaiser Permanente Sacramento member Reverend Sharon Brandon, who has a long family history of breast cancer. Brandon’s doctor was able to remove her tumor before the cancer had spread.
