Talk About It Tuesday: Living Healthy!

Many factors are linked to breast cancer risk. Some risk factors, like being a woman and getting older, are not things you can change. But other factors, like choosing to lead a healthy lifestyle may help lower your chances of getting breast cancer.  First make sure to know factors that may add to your risk.  And make healthy lifestyle choices! 

Start by maintaining a healthy weight and eating right. 

• Eat at least 2 ½ cups of fruits and vegetables every day.
• Choose 100 percent whole grain foods (like 100 percent whole grain breads and cereals, brown rice, popcorn and quinoa) more often.
• Limit red meat and processed meat (choose chicken, fish or beans instead).
• Cut down on "bad" fats (saturated and trans fats), and eat more "good" fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, like olive and canola oil).
• Get enough vitamin D and calcium every day. For women and men ages 51 to 70, this means 600 IU of vitamin D and 1,200 mg of calcium. For men ages 51 to 70, this means 600 IU of vitamin D and 1,000 mg of calcium.

Let’s get moving and be physically active. How can physical activity affect breast cancer risk? Exercise can help with weight control. For postmenopausal women, being lean lowers the risk of breast cancer. And, physical activity may lower estrogen levels in women, which can also protect against breast cancer. Physical activity may also boost the body’s immune system so that it can help kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.
 

Finally, limit alcohol intake.  If you drink alcohol, limit to drink less than one drink of alcohol a day (for women and fewer than two drinks a day for men). Those who drink alcohol should try to get enough folic acid, either through a multivitamin or foods like oranges, orange juice, leafy green vegetables and fortified breakfast cereals.
 

These are choices you can make to lower your risk.

Facts for Life:  Healthy Living