Because my mother had breast cancer 13 years ago, this is an issue close to my heart and something I worry about quite a bit. This month the Nutrition Action Newsletter did a fantastic job of summarizing the findings of the latest research. Many people are confused about what increases and decreases breast cancer risk, so I thought I would provide a brief review of the information from the Newsletter.
Uncontrollable Factors that Increase Risk:
Age (highest rates are among women 70+)
Family history (Risk is twice as high in women with a first degree relative who has had breast cancer)
Genes (BRCA-1 and CRCA-2)
Breast density (more dense = more risk)
Benigh breast disease
Jewish ethnicity
Early menstrual periods (before age 12) or late menopause (after age 55)
Births (fewer than 2 children or no children before age 30 = greater risk)
Height (taller women are at greater risk)
Controllable Factors that Decrease Risk:
Avoid gaining weight (BMIs of 27 and above increase risk)
Avoid taking hormones like estrogen and progesterone
Exercise (yippee!! - the earlier in life you start, the better, but starting later in life still affords significant protection)
Minimize alcohol (even one drink a day significantly raises risk)
The jury is still out on the effects of BPA, folate, fruit and veggie consumption, glycemic index, pesticides, red meat, soy and vitamin D.
Uncontrollable Factors that Increase Risk:
Age (highest rates are among women 70+)
Family history (Risk is twice as high in women with a first degree relative who has had breast cancer)
Genes (BRCA-1 and CRCA-2)
Breast density (more dense = more risk)
Benigh breast disease
Jewish ethnicity
Early menstrual periods (before age 12) or late menopause (after age 55)
Births (fewer than 2 children or no children before age 30 = greater risk)
Height (taller women are at greater risk)
Controllable Factors that Decrease Risk:
Avoid gaining weight (BMIs of 27 and above increase risk)
Avoid taking hormones like estrogen and progesterone
Exercise (yippee!! - the earlier in life you start, the better, but starting later in life still affords significant protection)
Minimize alcohol (even one drink a day significantly raises risk)
The jury is still out on the effects of BPA, folate, fruit and veggie consumption, glycemic index, pesticides, red meat, soy and vitamin D.
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