You may not be able to prevent breast cancer. But you can reduce your risk of developing it. Just as important, regular self-exams and mammograms can help detect breast cancer early on, when it’s easier to treat.
How can I lower my risk?
There’s no sure way to reduce breast cancer risk, but the American Cancer Society (ACS) has the following advice for all women and people AFAB:
- Get to and stay at a healthy weight: This is a weight that’s right for you. Ask a healthcare provider for information on setting up healthy weight management.
- Eat a healthy diet: Some studies show a diet that includes vegetables, fruit, calcium-rich dairy foods and lean protein may reduce your risk of breast cancer. Avoiding red meat and processed meat may also reduce your risk.
- Get moving: Studies show that regular physical activity lowers breast cancer risk.
- Avoid beverages containing alcohol: Research shows a link between breast cancer and alcohol. The American Medical Association recommends women and people AFAB limit alcohol to one drink a day.
- Get screened: Mammograms often detect tumors when they’re too small to be felt.
- Do regular self-exams: Examining your breasts regularly helps to maintain breast health and may allow you to find breast cancer tumors.
Some women and people AFAB have an increased risk for breast cancer because family members have it or they inherited a genetic mutation. If that’s your situation, you may want to consider the following:
- Genetic screening for breast cancer genes.
- Medication that may lower breast cancer risk like tamoxifen, raloxifene or aromatase inhibitors.
- Prophylactic (preventive) mastectomy.
- Frequent breast cancer screenings and physical examinations. If you have an increased risk for breast cancer, ask your provider if you should have additional tests to detect breast cancer, particularly if you’re under age 40 and have increased risk.
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