Because every day is the perfect day to lower your risk of breast cancer.
Everyone knows someone who has suffered from cancer. Breast cancer, the fourth most common form of cancer, is diagnosed in over a quarter million people in the US every year and ranks second as the leading cause of death among women. At AMS Insurance, we know that breast cancer is not completely preventable – things just happen. But there are things you can do everyday to minimize your risk of breast cancer.
Keep Your Weight Healthy
Though the research on this is somewhat incomplete, there does seem to be a relation between excess weight and breast cancer – particularly for post menopausal women. Avoid the tendency to gain weight over time. If you need to lose weight, make a goal to reduce your weight by a half pound ever week. If you need smaller increments, that’s fine too.
Throw Out the Alcohol
Or at least drink very little of it – no more than one drink per day. Women who have two or more drinks a day double their risk of breast cancer (when compared to women who don’t drink at all).
Make Exercise Part of Your Daily Routine
This is no surprise; exercise is good for everything, and breast cancer is no exception. Something as simple as speed walking a few times a week can reduce your risk significantly. Spread your exercise out through the week for optimal results.
Just Take Care of Yourself
This might seem like something we’ve already covered, but simply living a lifestyle that is happy and healthy will help prevent cancer. Don’t smoke, get your sleep, and live a life of healthy moderation. Keep your stress down, work and live in a healthy environment, and treat yourself right.
Of course, none of these steps can guarantee a long, happy, cancer-free life. There are genetic and environmental factors to take into account – things that are out of your control. But do what you can do to take control of your life.
Originally posted 2014-01-23 15:50:27.