Thursday, October 10, 2013

Goals for Preventing Breast Cancer

By Vera Viner
This fine month of October I set a goal for myself. As we all know, the obesity epidemic is troublesome in this country and remaining at a healthy weight is vital toward reducing our risk of various diseases, including cardiovascular disorders and breast cancer. Along with having a healthy diet, a sure-fire way to keep your weight at a stable level is to exercise. Getting back to my goal, this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I decided to walk on a treadmill at 3 miles per hour on an elevation for 30 minutes every single day (or at least on as many days as possible).
So far, so good. It is not too difficult to keep to this goal because my gym is right down the street. Another reason I am able to stick to this objective is because I told my husband-to-be about this daily workout goal, which makes me feel more obligated to accomplishing my target. He also keeps me company three times per week, which is when I make sure to take part in some strength training. I am hoping that my fitness routine will stick for much longer than this one month – it’d be the perfect way to stay healthy all through the winter when the snow keeps us indoors indefinitely.
The New York Times reported on October 9 that walking – just walking – can actually reduce a woman’s risk of breast cancer by changing the way her body handles estrogen production and circulation. Researchers from the American Cancer Society studied questionnaire responses from 73,600 postmenopausal women.
The females who walked for one hour a day at 3 miles per hour were found to have a 14 percent reduced risk of breast cancer than those who exercised only 2.5 hours or less every week. Women who exercised vigorously for a total of 10 hours or more per week saw the biggest decline in risk – they were 25 percent less likely to develop breast cancer.
“We think these results are very encouraging,” Alpa V. Patel, senior epidemiologist with the American Cancer Society and senior author of the study, told the source. “Walking is an easy, inexpensive type of exercise. Almost everyone can do it. And for this population of postmenopausal women, it provided a very significant reduction in the risk of breast cancer.”
In addition to walking, make sure to take the extra effort and reduce the amount of BPA, or Bisphenol A, found in our system. This chemical is found in the lining of cans and bottles; it has been linked to a heightened breast cancer risk. USA Today recently reported on the health problems that may be associated with BPA. Try to buy foods that aren’t in metallic or plastic containers and instead are in cartons or glassware. Natural or frozen fruits and vegetables may be the best option to avoiding excess BPA.
These are just some of the ways to prevent breast cancer. This October, or National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, what are you doing to prevent this disease? Do you have a goal of exercising more or eating a healthier diet? Let us know in the comments below!

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