How to reduce your risk of having breast cancer

Photo by Florian Klauer on Unsplash

A breast cancer diagnosis is one of the most difficult, and most devastating, to face. From a physical, but especially from an emotional point of view, it is an extremely difficult and draining disease. And unfortunately it affects a significant number of people.

Today, we know that genetics can have a strong influence on it. But according to Cancer Research UK less than 3% of cases are actually due to genetics.

These are great news because it means that our environment and lifestyle are major contributors to the disease. And those we can change!

Here are things you can do to help prevent breast cancer:

1. Don’t drink alcohol — even just one glass per day is associated with a 4% higher breast cancer risk, and 23% higher risk if you drink 2 glasses per day; this was found in a 2014 scientific review including data from 118 studies and 165k participants

2. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables — a high intake is associated with a 15% lower risk, as per a 2012 scientific review with 230k participants

3. Exercise — 150min per week of vigorous exercise (e.g. running) is associated with a 9% lower risk according to a 2015 review with 115k participants

Breast cancer is a very difficult disease to face, so it’s great to know that there are some things we can do in order to try to prevent it!

A special thank you to inesvanmuysen for her help and feedback on this story!