How to Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk
Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers in both Australia and the world, with 16,614 Australian women and 140 men diagnosed with the disease in 2014. Currently, for women, the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia by the age of 85 is 1 in 8. The risk to men is much lower. So, given how common breast cancer is, it is important that women remain breast aware throughout their lives, from puberty to older age, and understand the risk factors that can often increase the chances of developing this type of cancer.
It’s important to note that, sometimes, no matter how many precautions you take and how healthy you are, breast cancer can still occur. Causes of the disease are multifaceted and much research is still ongoing to better understand its pathology and prevention. Saying that, there are several lifestyle changes that can positively impact your chances of developing breast cancer, as well as proactive measures you can take to monitor and maintain your breast health.
At Bond Radiology, we believe prevention is better than cure, and so recommend you do the following to help to reduce your breast cancer risk.
Get to know your family history
Research has shown that women with a family history of breast cancer are slightly more likely to develop the disease, and this is especially true if the cancer is diagnosed at a younger age. Genetics can play a role in the development of breast cancer, so if you notice a family trend, or if a close relative has developed the disease under the age of 50, you might want to get tested for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
Be smart about contraceptives
Over 2.5 million Australian women between the age of 18 and 49 use a regular method of contraception, with almost half of these using oral contraceptives such as the combined pill. The combined pill consists of a number of hormones, including oestrogen, which has been linked to a slightly elevated risk of developing breast cancer. Therefore, if you already have unavoidable risk factors, such as a family history, you may want to rethink your contraceptives to ensure you’re minimising risks where possible.
Check for breast changes
It is crucial that every woman gets to know her breasts. Often, women erroneously believe that a breast lump is the only sign of breast cancer. But there are other changes to look for, including nipple differences (especially if only one nipple is affected), dimpled skin, a rash, a change in the shape or size of the breast and, rarely, breast pain. Any change, no matter how insignificant it may seem, should be looked at by a professional. At Bond Radiology, we offer peace of mind with comprehensive breast scans that can tell you whether the change to your breast tissue is anything that requires treatment.
Stay fit and healthy
It may seem obvious, but it cannot be stressed enough that a healthy lifestyle has profound impacts on your overall health and risk of developing breast cancer. Smokers, for example, have a slightly elevated risk of developing the disease. Drinking one alcoholic drink per day can increase your breast cancer risk by as much as 5%. And obesity is linked to as many as 1 in 20 cases of breast cancer, also playing a role in breast cancer recurrence. Therefore, we echo much circulated advice to stay active, cut down on your drinking and quit smoking.
Attend routine appointments
The government’s national screening program, BreastScreen Australia, invites women aged 50–74 every 2 years to undergo a free mammogram. If you are within this age range, you should receive letters inviting you to screening. It is important that you do not ignore these letters. While screening does not prevent cancer, it can pick up cancer in its early stages, maximising your chances of beating the disease. If you want to attend a breast scan away from the scheduled screening appointments, or if you are not within the free mammogram screening age range, then we can help. Book an appointment with us directly to ensure you’re staying on top of your breast health.
It is imperative that you never ignore the symptoms of breast cancer. You may feel embarrassed, uncomfortable or nervous about the procedure. You may also have a busy schedule and not think breast screening is a priority. At Bond Radiology, our trained professionals are available to answer your questions and make you feel as comfortable as possible. Appointments are not lengthy and you will be able to go about your day following the procedure with peace of mind that you are taking proactive measures to take care of your health.