HOW PREVENTABLE IS BREAST CANCER?
AICR (American institute of cancer research) estimates that 38 percent of all breast cancer cases in the US could be prevented with simple, everyday changes to what we eat and how much we move. That means, in the US alone, over 86,000 women every year could be be spared having to face breast cancer.
WHAT ARE BREAST CANCER'S MAJOR RISK FACTORS?
Age: The older you are, the greater your risk for breast cancer. |
Alcohol: Drinking alcohol – in any form – raises breast cancer risk. |
Weight: Carrying excess body fat increases risk for post-menopausal breast cancer. |
Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle makes post-menopausal breast cancer more likely. |
Family History: Inheriting BRCA-1 or other “cancer genes” does increase risk, but these inherted genetic factors are responsible for only about 5 to 10 percent of all breast cancers. | Breastfeeding: If you give birth, breastfeeding your baby lowers your risk of both pre- and post-menopausal breast cancers. Learn more about breastfeeding and cancer |
HOW COMMON IS BREAST CANCER?
FOCUS ON THE RISK FACTORS YOU CONTROL
To lower your risk for breast cancer, make everyday choices that will help you stay at or get to your healthy weight.
Find your "healthy weight" using the AICR Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator. (google)
Moving more and eating well will help you achieve your healthy weight. Foods high in fiber, and also organic local produce and meats at farmers market. Veggies such as kale, cabbage, broccoli have cancer –fighting phytochemicals. Onions, leeks, squash, as well. So, POWER UP your vitamins and fight by eating well!
MOVE MORE
Aim to get your body up and moving for at least 30 minutes every day. So try anything that:
EAT WELL
All of these good foods are available at your local farmers market:
.GOOD FOODS LIST |
Eat less of these FOODS below |
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A good rule of thumb: Always fill at least 2/3 of your plate with plant foods, and let animal foods (meat and dairy) take up the rest. |
Article by Joanne Keaveney, Registered Dietician