How can women reduce their risk of breast cancer?
There are many breast cancer risk factors that cannot be controlled such as genetics, early menstruation and family history. Other aspects such diet, early child-bearing, and weight can be controlled to help reduce the risk of breast cancer. Women who maintain a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in polyunsaturated fats (such as corn oils, tub margarine) and saturated fats (such as those found in meats) may help lower their risk of the disease. Smoking and alcohol consumption have also been linked to higher incidences of breast cancer. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug tamoxifen for use in women at high risk of developing breast cancer. Click here to learn more about the various risk factors for breast cancer and for information on a new tool to help determine a woman’s breast cancer risk.
