How can you prevent breast cancer?

You can't: You can't prevent breast cancer with any certainty. What you can do is reduce your risk of developing breast cancer by eating healthy, exercising, avoiding obesity, limiting alcohol consumption, as well breast-feeding, avoiding post-menopausal hormone replacement, etc. But some women are genetically pre-disposed and will get breast cancer despite a "healthy lifestyle".

"Chemoprevention": Women at high risk for breast cancer may reduce their cancer risk by as much as 50% by taking tamoxifen or Raloxifene for 5 years. These drugs are not without side effects or risks; consult with a breast surgeon or a medical oncologist to learn the pro's and con's.

Healthy weight: We are not able to control most risk factors for breast cancer, such as being female, aging, and family history. We can control our weight, as obesity is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. In addition we can perform routine screening. Early detection leads to the best chance of a cure. Limit your alcohol intake, have babies, breast feed, and increase your physical activity.

Weight and smoking: There are many known and unknown factors for the risk of breast cancer - these include genetic factors, gender, age, age when menstrual cycles started, history of radiation exposure to the chest area. These factors cannot be modified. So the risk factors that you can modify are: being overweight, excessive use of alcohol, and smoking. Most importantly, do breast exams and get your mammogram.

You can't: Generally we think a healthy lifestyle, avoiding known hazards (smoking, excessive alcholol, etc) , getting excercise, appropriate weight etc can be beneficial to overall health. No magic strategy to prevent breast cancer. Most docs in practice still believe screening mammography is indicated at 40, as death rates have plummeted with early detection and treatment.

Prevention: For one with brca 1/2 genes mutation- prophylactic bilateral mastectomies will decrease about 99% risk for breast cancer. For the rest of population without this genetic mutation, there is nothing special- except to have regular screening test with mammogram and have a healthy life style. Well balance diet, decrease processed red meat, avoid cigarettes/alcohol, and exercise regularly.

CHEMOPREVENTION : Women at high risk for breast cancer may reduce their cancer risk by as much as 50% by taking tamoxifen or Raloxifene for 5 years. These drugs are not without side effects or risks; consult with a breast surgeon or a medical oncologist to learn the pro's and con's.