October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

There are several things a person can do to reduce their chances of getting breast cancer or any of the other cancers.

 

• Avoid cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and alcohol. Avoid those who do not.  Secondhand smoke can be just as harmful. A few beers or glasses of wine can increase your risk of breast cancer and other cancers.

• Eat right.  Reduce how much saturated fat you are digesting, and increase the amount of fruits and vegetables instead.  Fruits and vegetables not only are full of needed nutrients, but have no cholesterol or fat.

 

• Watch your weight.  Your doctor can inform you what is a healthy weight range for your body type.

• Exercise. Walk, jog, swim, jump, bike, vacuum, sweep, mow, move. Thirty minutes of steady movement each day can make a big difference in relieving stress, managing pain, and reducing weight.

 

• Avoid the sun. Too much sun exposure over time can damage healthy skin cells and lead to skin cancer. Wear protective sunscreen, sunglasses that protect all exposed sides of the eye, hats, and protective clothing. Stay away from tanning beds.

• Become informed. Learn who in your family has had cancer and what kind they had. Some cancers have a tendency of running in families. Be sure to check with your doctor to be sure.

 

• Become familiar with your body. You are your best detector. You generally can tell when something doesn’t look or feel right or normal. Let your doctor know of any noted abnormalities.