Breast cancer awareness month 2020: Avoid these 5 mistakes to reduce your risk of the common cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of death, and also the most common cancer that affects women, all around the world. October is observed as World Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to raise awareness about the prevention and need for early diagnosis of the disease, in order to keep it at bay and reduce the risk of mortality due to the disease.
While certain causes of breast cancer include those that cannot be controlled – such as age, gender, history of the disease in the family genetics, etc, certain mistakes can increase the risk of the disease, or cause complications due to it. If you have any of the risk factors of breast cancer, or just want to ensure you do not develop the disease, here are 5 mistakes you must avoid.
5 mistakes to avoid if you want to reduce your risk of breast cancer
- Obesity – Obesity is a common cause of various diseases, including cancer. Obesity can be more harmful than thought and can give rise to various diseases such as type 2 diabetes, and breast cancer. Following a healthy diet and regular exercise routine can help reduce obesity and stay healthy. Not exercising is also known to be a cause of breast cancer, and it also fuels obesity.
- Use of alcohol– Regular and binge drinking of alcohol can increase your risk of cancer and liver diseases. If you are at high risk of breast cancer due to age, gender, or due to a history of the disease in the family, you must avoid drinking. People who have previously developed breast cancer and recovered should definitely ditch alcohol.
- Not getting tested – Tests and diagnosis are key when it comes to diseases such as breast cancer, as early diagnosis can help save your life. If you or someone in your family had breast cancer, you should get tested frequently, and as advised by your medical professional. Even if you do not have a close relative who has had the disease, getting tested every few months/years is vital. You can also self-examine your breasts at home, and report any concerns you may have to your doctor.
- Avoiding breastfeeding – Studies suggest that women who avoid breastfeeding can see an increased risk of breast cancer in their life. This is because of hormone imbalances that can lead to a rise in hormones that can cause cancer.
- Unsupervised use of contraception – Birth control
pills and injections can increase the risk of breast cancer for certain
women, and therefore, should not be taken without medical advice.