Prevention is an essential tool for all women to be able to diagnose breast cancer early. Adherence to screening programs, therefore periodic mammography, is extremely important, as is breast self-examination to check for any lumps. Discover in this article, how to prevent breast cancer.
Risk factors
The precise cause of breast cancer is not yet clear, but there is scientific evidence that shows an important correlation between the occurrence of cancer and certain risk factors that can be divided into modifiable. Modifiable factors are, for example, obesity, physical inactivity or alcohol abuse, and can be combated by primary prevention interventions. Risk factors defined as non-modifiable include age, gender, ethnicity, and genetic predisposition. In particular, in breast cancer, women over 50 and with a family history of the disease have an increased risk of developing cancer. In this sense, secondary prevention becomes fundamental.
Primary prevention?
Primary prevention consists of the adoption or modification of lifestyles considered as risk factors for each pathology, and therefore also for breast cancer. Avoid smoking, drink alcohol in moderation, practice regular physical activity, avoid overweight and obesity, follow a balanced diet. In particular, for the prevention of cancer, there is no evidence of possible benefits in the use of dietary supplements. Nutritional needs can be met by a correct and balanced diet rich in cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables, animal proteins. Avoid alcoholic beverages, sugars, high fat foods, red and processed meats. Regular exercise also plays an important role in the prevention of various cancers and thus breast cancer as well. The practice of a physical activity acts on certain mechanisms of the body such as inflammation which can cause alterations at the cellular genetic level with the consequence of the transformation of healthy tissues into cancer. Aerobic activity makes it possible in particular to facilitate both the transport by the bloodstream of anti-inflammatory substances and the elimination of toxic substances accumulated in the cells.
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