Lifestyle Choices That Reduce The Risk Of Breast Cancer:

Lifestyle Choices That Reduce The Risk Of Breast Cancer: Breastfeeding:  may play a role in prevention and the longer you breastfeed, the greater the benefit.  A recent study conducted in Spain showed that women who breastfeed for longer than 6 months had a gain in life expectancy of 10 years versus women who did not breastfeed.   Birth control: studies show that women who have taken oral birth control have a slightly higher risk.  This risk is diminished after women stop taking birth control pills.. Smoking:  there is evidence of a direct link between smoking and breast cancer. Alcohol consumption:  a direct link has been proven between alcohol drinking and breast cancer.  This risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. Overweight or Obesity: being overweight after menopause increases the risk as after menopause, most of a women's estrogen comes from fat cells.  Having more fat tissue after menopause increases your risk for breast cancer. Poor diet:  it's widely documented that eating a diet low in fresh fruits and vegetables, and high in sugar, processed or fatty foods, increases your risk.   Reduce Estrogen in your diet: research links high estrogen exposure to increased risk. Most people don't know that there are estrogen-mimicking synthetic hormones in beef, chicken and eggs.  Buy hormone-free meats and eggs and reduce intake of unfermented soy products as these increase estrogen in the body as well. Vitamin D Deficiency:  a deficiency in Vitamin D is linked to increased breast cancer risk so be sure to have your level check with a simple blood test. Physical activity:  evidence shows that physical activity serves to decrease the risk.  A Women's Health Initiative Study showd that as little as 1.25-2.5 hours of brisk walking reduced a women's risk by 18%.  The more exercise, the further reduction in risk. Avoid exposure to radiation and environmental pollution. Read more about this at: American Cancer Society Mayo Clinic