How to Prevent Breast Cancer in Your 20s

By Vera Viner

Women around the country are being diagnosed with breast cancer at staggering numbers. Many may be found at the earliest of stages, such as ductal carcinoma in situ, which is cancer of the milk ducts. Regardless of what stage a woman may be diagnosed at, treatment associated with cancer is never easy. With the research taking place at the Cleveland Clinic on the breast cancer vaccine and the work done by Drs. Pogo, Holland, and Levine on the Human Mammary Tumor Virus, there has grown a bigger emphasis on the prevention of breast cancer. Instead of focusing on early diagnosis and treatment, women should also be encouraged to prevent this disease from affecting their lives.

I will partake in a series of discussions revolved around breast cancer prevention for women at certain life stages. Today, we will talk about how to avoid this disease if you are in your 20s. According to United Press International, women should assess their risk based on family history and speak with their doctor to determine ways to reduce any associated risk. Make sure to get clinical breast exams annually.

Remain at a Healthy Weight

Obesity or being overweight is associated with a higher risk of death from breast cancer. It is incredibly important to keep yourself at a healthy weight through adequate exercise and a healthy diet. If you are in school, the dorm room-lifestyle and open lunch rooms may make it more difficult to stick to a healthy weight. Try your best to choose salads, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Additionally, most college campuses have a gym free for students to use. Keep exercising during your free time for better health.

Exercise

Women who exercise regularly, at least 2.5 hours per week, are at an 18 percent lower risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer throughout their life. It is as easy as a brisk, 30-minute walk five times a week. You can also enjoy biking, going to the gym, swimming at a local pool, or playing a sport like soccer, basketball, or softball. Any physical activity will help you reduce breast cancer risk.

Quit Smoking and Moderate Alcohol Intake

Make sure to drink less than one glass of alcohol per day. Drinking even one glass every day can increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer by 11 percent. Young women who are in college and invited to a multitude of parties should be aware of what binge drinking could do to their health long-term. It is important to avoid having too many beers or mixed drinks. Try to have no more than four drinks per week.

Smoking also increases your risk of various cancers, including lung, bladder, and breast cancer. For your own sake, quit smoking or don’t start to keep yourself from these dreadful diseases.

Consider Other Forms of Birth Control

If you are on the birth control pill, you may want to speak with a gynecologist or other specialist to see if another form of birth control could be well suited for you. Non-hormonal types of contraceptives are advised to keep your cancer risk low. Additionally, if you are in your later 20s and are thinking of having a family, you should know that earlier pregnancies are more protective for your overall breast health.

If you’d like to receive more information about breast cancer and what the Breast Health and Healing Foundation is doing to battle the disease, please sign up for our newsletter. You can sign up here: http://breasthealthandhealing.org/im-in/.