Breast cancer seems to be on the rise. Out of all cancers, it is the number one killer for women. There are many factors that cause this, including a number of lifestyle choices. By understanding more about the disease and how your choices affect you, you can start making choices that will lower your risk of getting it.
Obesity and Breast Cancer
You know that obesity is bad for you but you’re still doing nothing about it. It is a lifestyle choice to remain overweight – you could go on healthy eating plans that will get you to a healthy weight.
However, do you know how much obesity is doing to you? Did you know that it is linked to breast cancer? Postmenopausal women are more likely to get the disease if they are overweight.
Not Having Children
Not having children or having them later in life have been linked to breast cancer. Later in life is over 30.
Studies to prove this are still in the early stages but it is worth thinking about. If you’re thinking of holding off children for any reason, consider the possibilities in the future.
Breastfeeding – or the Lack of It
Studies have shown that breastfeeding for the first six months of your child’s life can help lower the risk of getting breast cancer.
So, it is not just good for your little one but also good for you. There may be other medical reasons for not breast feeding but try to do it for as long as possible.
Consuming a Lot of Alcohol
Like obesity, you know alcohol is bad for you. It is linked to a number of diseases, especially cirrhosis of the liver. However, did you also know that it is linked to breast cancer?
Alcohol also leads to weight gain due to all the empty calories, which is another cause of breast cancer. Make a switch to soft drinks, even alternating them when you go out, and have a healthier lifestyle.
Birth Control Pills
Before you went on the birth control pill, you would have been asked about any family history of cancer. Check the warning labels and you will see that the pills are linked to breast cancer.
This is due to the level of oestrogen in the pills. There are other forms of contraception that may be worth looking into.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
When you reach menopausal age, you may have to take hormone replacement therapy drugs. These help to add the oestrogen back into the body to make this stage of your life easier to deal with.
However, there is also a higher risk of developing breast cancer. There are other hormone replacement options that may be worth looking into.
Working Nights for 30 Years
You may prefer doing the night shift but it doesn’t agree with your body. Recent studies show that those who work nights for at least 30 years are more likely to get breast cancer.
However, the studies are still in their primal stages.