Reducing Your Risk of Breast Cancer

Authors:

Amy Scholten, MPH

Publication Type:

Condition InDepth

A risk factor is something that raises a person's chances of getting a health problem. Some of these, such as family history or genes, cannot be changed. Others can be changed.

General Guidelines for All Women

Quitting Smoking

Tobacco is harmful to the whole body. The risk of many cancers are higher in women who smoke. This includes breast cancer risk.

Quitting smoking helps reduce the risk of breast and other cancers. The sooner smoking is stopped, the sooner the body can start to heal. The doctor can provide guidance on quitting.

Drinking in Moderation

Alcohol may cause estrogen levels to rise. Estrogen is a female hormone. High levels can raise the risk of certain types of breast cancer. Women who drink alcohol can lower their risk by having 1 drink or less a day.

Eating a Healthful Diet

To reduce the risk of breast cancer, it helps to eat:

Plenty of fruits and dark green, red, and orange vegetables
Whole grains
Legumes, such as beans and peas
More chicken and fish and less red meat
Less sugar and fewer processed foods

Eating a healthful diet can help control weight.Excess body weight, mainly after menopause, makes breast cancer risk higher. Fat cells release estrogen. The more fat on the body, the higher the estrogen level.

Physical Activity

Movement is good for health and keeping a healthy weight. Physical activity helps lower breast cancer risk in women of any age. 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week is advised. The doctor can provide guidance on how to do this safely.

Limiting Exposure to Estrogen When Possible

High levels of estrogen have been linked to breast cancer. For older women, estrogen comes from hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT is often used after menopause. The doctor can discuss risks and benefits.

General Guidelines for All Women

Quitting Smoking

Tobacco is harmful to the whole body. The risk of many cancers are higher in women who smoke. This includes breast cancer risk.

Quitting smoking helps reduce the risk of breast and other cancers. The sooner smoking is stopped, the sooner the body can start to heal. The doctor can provide guidance on quitting.

Drinking in Moderation

Eating a Healthful Diet

To reduce the risk of breast cancer, it helps to eat:

Plenty of fruits and dark green, red, and orange vegetables
Whole grains
Legumes, such as beans and peas
More chicken and fish and less red meat
Less sugar and fewer processed foods

Physical Activity

Limiting Exposure to Estrogen When Possible

General Guidelines for Women at High Risk

Some women have a higher risk of breast cancer:

Age over 60 years
Age over 35 years and history of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
Problems with BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes—or strong family history
History of breast biopsies with results that were not normal
Prior breast cancer

For those at high risk for breast cancer, the doctor may advise:

Genetic Testing

Women who carry certain genes are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancers. They can be tested for those genes.

Estrogen-Blocking Drugs

There are medicines to prevent breast cancer in high-risk women who past menopause. Tamoxifen and raloxifene block estrogen from certain cells. However, these medicines also increase the risk of blood clots. Blood clots can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Preventive Surgery

Women at very high risk for breast cancer may have other choices. One option is surgery to remove both breasts. This is not a fool-proof method and does carry some risk. .

Some women can also lower their risk by having their uterus or ovaries removed.

References

BRCA mutation testing and management. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/evaluation/brca-mutation-testing-and-management.
Breast cancer. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/breast-disorders/breast-cancer.
Breast cancer in women. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/breast-cancer-in-women.
Breast cancer prevention (PDQ). National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/breast-prevention-pdq.
Breast cancer risk and prevention. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/risk-and-prevention.html.
Chemoprevention of breast cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/prevention/chemoprevention-of-breast-cancer.
Risk factors for breast cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/risk-factors-for-breast-cancer.
3/30/2022 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance https://www.dynamed.com/condition/risk-factors-for-breast-cancer. Dorling L, Carvalho S, et al. Breast cancer risk genes - association analysis in more than 113,000 women. N Engl J Med. 2021 Feb 4;384(5):428-439.

Contributors

Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP

Last Updated:

2022-08-01

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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