As women get older, their risk of contracting breast cancer increases. According to BreastCancer.org, women aged 55 and older account for 2 out of 3 invasive breast cancers.
This is because the aging body opens itself up to more risks of genetic mutations, most of which it has difficulty repairing. Though there are many risk factors related to breast cancer — such as breast density, genetics, and reproductive history — there’s still a lot that women can do to reduce their likelihood of contracting the disease. To help, we’ve listed a few ways women can mitigate breast cancer risks and spot the warning signs before they get too severe.
Study your family’s medical history
Your family history is the biggest warning sign for breast cancer development. Women who have first-degree family members (such as sisters, mothers, or daughters) who’ve previously developed breast cancer are at twice the risk of developing the disease themselves. Once you understand your family’s medical history, you’ll know how thorough you’ll need to be with other prevention strategies. If you discover that you are at higher risk, you may need to be stricter about the risk factors you can still control, such as your diet, physical activity, and lifestyle habits.
Maintain a healthy diet
Because fat cells produce estrogen, women with more body fat will have more estrogen in their bodies. Though this isn’t always a bad thing, overexposure to estrogen can increase the body’s risk of developing breast cancer. Additionally, excess fat is associated with insulin production, which is another risk factor linked to cancer.
Thus, women need to maintain a healthy weight and diet if they want to avoid breast cancer. According to Everyday Health, leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale can block tumor growth. On the other hand, bulbs like onions and garlic can keep your cell cycles at a healthy level. And since red and processed meats can increase cancer risks, experts recommend turning to fish for a cancer-safe protein alternative.
Exercise Regularly
Regular physical activity will strengthen your immune system, decrease estrogen levels, keep your body at a healthy weight, and provide stress relief. Considering that these factors can contribute to cancer risks, exercise can then be an effective strategy for prevention. The Office of Women’s Health states that older women should get two hours and thirty minutes of aerobic exercise each week. If exercise is difficult at your age, you can try easy, low-impact activities such as tai chi, walking, and yoga.
Get Screened
Even if you follow all the steps to prevent breast cancer, you still need to get screened regularly. This way, you can spot signs or symptoms early and begin intervention before the situation gets worse. Adults aged 65 and older can usually have their mammograms covered by Medicare. KelseyCare Advantage shows that Medicare Advantage plans, which are Medicare bundle plans offered by private insurance companies, can cover any procedure your healthcare provider deems medically necessary, including breast cancer screenings. Medicare Advantage may also cover extra benefits not covered by Original Medicare, such as fitness benefits, which you can leverage to further mitigate cancer risks.
There are also other effective breast cancer screening options you can consider. The KBCT technique, for instance, can adequately assess the entire breast without putting you through the uncomfortable process of breast compression. These methods are especially helpful for women with dense or fatty breasts.
As deadly as breast cancer is, it can be easily prevented through the right strategies. So long as you maintain a healthy weight, eat nutritious food, exercise, and get screened regularly, you can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, even as you age.
Article specially written for koninghealth.com By Rowse Salazar