MATC Matters

For years, health professionals, doctors, and scientists have been working to find an effective way to prevent breast cancer from occurring in the first place. Still, according to the American Cancer Society, there is no known strategy to eliminate all risk of breast cancer.

Aside from your annual physical, conducting routine breast self‑exams and getting a regular mammogram, there are important and simple things you can do to significantly reduce your risk for breast cancer.

Know Your Family History. If you have a family history of breast cancer, this puts you in a higher risk category. By simply knowing your family history, you can take other important steps to reduce your risk.

Get Active. Believe it or not, a woman who exercises four hours per week reduces her risk of breast cancer. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, exercise pumps up the immune system and cuts the level of estrogen.

Eat Better. According to recent research, a high‑fat diet can increase the risk of breast cancer. Remember, a healthy diet includes at least five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each and every day.

Cut Down. One or two drinks a day slightly increases your risk of breast cancer. Thus, the more alcohol you drink, the more you increase your risk. To reduce your risk, experts recommend that women consume no more than one standard drink no more than four times per week. For men, the recommendation is no more than two drinks per day, never more than four times per week.

Quit Smoking. Scientists are still exploring the link between smoking and breast cancer. While the relationship of breast cancer to smoking and exposure to second‑hand smoke are still under study, the prudent recommendation is to stop smoking – once and for all.

When it comes to breast cancer, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Although not meant to be a comprehensive list, these five steps can significantly reduce your risk for breast cancer.

Support breast cancer research, education, treatment and screening programs by wearing your jeans on October 5 and looking for the Lee National Denim Day representative at MATC campuses. Find out more about this great cause!

This information is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult your physician with any concerns you might have regarding this information.

If you have questions, contact Cindi Rutten, Employee Health & Wellness Coordinator at 243‑4133.

Source: Better Safe! from the Wellness Councils of American Bulletin for Family Safety.