5 ways to protect breast health and prevent breast cancer

You probably know the most important things in your life like the back of your hand—your loved ones, your job, maybe even New Orleans itself. But does that knowledge extend to your breasts? If not, it’s time to focus some attention on your “girls.”

What affects your breasts can affect the rest of your body, so knowing your breasts and how to care for them is key to a healthy future.

Here are five simple actions you can take to prioritize your breast health.

1. Ask about your risk for breast cancer

Understanding your personal risk for breast cancer can mean better prevention. If you don’t know your risk, ask your women’s health doctor or primary care provider. They can do an assessment and, if warranted, recommend earlier screenings or even genetic testing.

Some risk factors for breast cancer include:

• Age, since breast cancer diagnosis is most common after age 50
• A family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer
• Certain lifestyle habits, such as drinking too much alcohol or not being physically active
• Dense breasts
• Early menstruation (before age 12) or late menopause (after age 55)
• Genetic mutations, including those related to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
• Obesity or being overweight
• Previous breast cancer or another breast disease
• Radiation therapy to the chest or breasts

2. Learn how to do a self-breast exam

Knowing what your breasts usually look and feel like is an important part of breast health because it can help you spot any changes quickly. Are you due for a breast self-exam?

Think of breast self-exams as regular (preferably monthly) meetups to get reacquainted with your breasts. Try to keep a consistent schedule. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, it helps to do your exam seven to 10 days after your period starts, when your breasts aren’t as tender or lumpy. If you’ve gone through menopause, pick any day and perform your exam on the same date every month.

To perform a breast self-exam:

1. Lie on your back and use two fingers to gently press on each breast in a circular or top-to-bottom motion to check for lumps.
2. Sit or stand to feel your armpits for lumps.
3. Gently squeeze your nipples to check for discharge.
4. Stand in front of a mirror to observe your breasts’ shape and texture.

Tell your primary care provider if you see or feel anything new or strange. Your provider may perform a different hands-on exam called a clinical breast exam.

3. Schedule a mammogram

When breast cancer develops, it rarely gives clues that it’s there early on. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find it when it’s silent and small. A mammogram, or breast X-ray, can show breast cancer before you feel a lump or notice symptoms.

A mammogram that checks for breast cancer when you don’t have symptoms is called a screening mammogram. Having regular screening mammograms reduces your risk of dying from breast cancer. When we find cancer early, it’s easier to treat. Make sure you give yourself the advantage against breast cancer by sticking to a screening schedule.

What age to get a mammogram

Talk to your doctor about when to start having a yearly screening mammogram. You may want to start as early as age 40, based on your risk factors for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society says that all women ages 45 to 54 should get a mammogram each year. They recommend a mammogram every two years for women ages 55 and older, unless you prefer to stick to an annual schedule.

4. Make healthy choices

Some breast cancer risk factors, such as having dense breast tissue or a family history of the disease, are out of your control. But, fortunately, you can control other factors to reduce your risk. Follow these best practices for healthy living:

• Eat healthy: Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods in your diet. Try to eat less red meat and processed food.
• Limit alcohol: You have a higher risk of breast cancer if you drink alcohol. Not drinking is healthiest, but if you drink, limit yourself to one alcoholic beverage per day.
• Move more, sit less: Stay as active as you can. Spend at least 30 minutes exercising at a moderate intensity several days each week. If you sit for most of your workday, take regular breaks to get up and walk around.
• Watch your weight: Use regular exercise and a nutritious diet to help get to and maintain a healthy weight.

5. Find a women’s health provider near you

The best part about breast health is that you don’t have to manage it alone. Find a Women’s Health provider at LCMC Health who can help you with everything from periods and Pap smears to childbirth and menopause… and, of course, breast health.

Schedule an appointment to stay on track with screenings and wellness checks.

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