The National Comprehensive Cancer Network is an alliance of comprehensive cancer centers that establishes evidenced based guidelines for prevention, detection, risk reduction, and oncology treatment of all different types of malignancy. I was intrigued and happy to see a recent editorial in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network that helps put into perspective the power of simple, daily lifestyle choices on the risk of getting breast cancer.
The editorial states:
- “15% of overall breast cancer risk is attributable to weight gain in adulthood.”
- “moderate physical activity is estimated to decrease breast cancer risk by 15% to 25%”
- alcohol consumption increases the relative risk of breast cancer by about 50% “and this risk increases with increasing amounts.”
- estrogen/progestin hormone replacement therapy has been shown to increase breast cancer risk by 25%
It also states that only 5% to 10% of all breast cancers are caused by inheritance.
Reducing risk of breast cancer can be straight-forward and manageable:
- eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, and lean sources of protein.
- exercise regularly – walking 60 to 90 minutes, using the stationary bicycle for 45 minutes, or jogging for 30 minutes a day is enough
- maintain a healthy weight or use diet and exercise to achieve slow, but steady weight loss.
- avoid alcohol.
Be well,
Richard Malik, ND