RSS
Lifestyle Choices Can Help Reduce Risk of Recurrent Breast Cancer
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I'm a two-year breast cancer survivor. What lifestyle choices will actually make a difference as far as preventing a recurrence?
ANSWER: As a breast cancer survivor, you can take steps to help reduce the risk of recurrence. They include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and limiting the amount of alcohol you drink. Not only will these lifestyle changes decrease the chances that breast cancer will return, but they can also lower your risk of other serious illnesses.
Among the most important steps is maintaining a healthy weight, especially in the years following menopause. Research suggests that fat (adipose) tissue is a source of estrogen. Many breast cancers are hormone sensitive and can grow faster in the presence of estrogen and progesterone. So, carrying extra fat tissue may increase the possibility that breast cancer will develop, particularly in women with a history of breast cancer.
Staying at a healthy weight, or losing weight if necessary, reduces fat tissue, decreasing the amount of estrogen in the body and in turn lowering your risk of an estrogen-sensitive cancer. Research estimates are that a healthy weight can reduce your breast cancer risk by about 26 percent. Although there are no specific dietary guidelines for breast cancer survivors, a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, grains and vegetables and low in fats and sugars can help maintain a healthy weight.
A formula called the body mass index (BMI), which compares weight to height, can help determine if you are in a healthy weight range. BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. For most people, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal.
Closely linked to staying at a healthy weight is exercising regularly. Exercise has been shown to decrease estrogen levels, lower insulin levels and help boost the immune system. There's good evidence that starting to exercise regularly before menopause has long-term benefits against breast cancer. If exercise isn't part of your daily routine, starting slow is fine. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise three times a week. Remember, you don't have to train for a marathon. Brisk walking, bicycle riding and swimming are good ways to get the exercise your body needs.
The benefits that come with staying at a healthy weight and exercising regularly extend far beyond reducing your breast cancer risk. They can also help prevent colon cancer and other types of gastrointestinal cancers, as well as gynecologic cancers, such as endometrial cancer. Being overweight is a risk factor for these types of cancer.
In addition, weight loss and exercise have clearly been shown to help prevent heart disease -- the number one cause of death for women in the U.S. Finally, regular exercise is known to help prevent bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis. That's particularly significant for women who are in menopause and critical for those who are taking anti-estrogen therapies to reduce breast cancer recurrence risk, because these therapies can speed the development of osteoporosis.
The other important change you can make is limiting how much alcohol you drink. Research suggests that the more alcohol consumed, the greater the risk of developing breast cancer. The general recommendation is that women limit their alcohol intake on average to no more than one alcoholic beverage a day (8 ounces of wine, 16 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor).
By following these lifestyle recommendations, you can play a key part in decreasing your risk of recurrent breast cancer. For details on a weight-loss or exercise program that's right for you, or for strategies on how to limit your alcohol intake, talk to your doctor.
Medical Edge from
Twitter: @ihavenet
Available at Amazon.com:
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder
- Advances In Research Offer Hope for Future of Lupus Treatment
- Lifestyle Choices Can Help Reduce Risk of Recurrent Breast Cancer
- Sensitizing Skin to UV Light Can Reduce Symptoms of PMLE
- Sun-Related Skin Condition Triggered By Chemicals in Certain Plants and Fruits
- Hypertension All Too Common Despite Excellent Treatments
- Vitamin D Deficiency Can Lead to Serious Bone Disorders
- Belly Fat Increases Risk of Developing Serious Health Problems
- Chinese Medicine Offers New Parkinson's Treatments
- What to Do About Bunions
- Deviated Septum Usually Doesn't Require Treatment
- Gloomy Forecast on Heart Disease
- Coronary Artery Spasms Can Lead to Deterioration of Heart Function
- Determine Risk of Developing Blood Clots Before Discontinuing Blood-Thinning Medication
- Avoiding Summer Stomach Bugs
- Statins Have Benefits Beyond Protecting Our Arteries
- Determined Approach to Treatment of Crohn's Disease Can Result in Symptom Relief
- Several Reasons Could Explain Continued Bone Loss
- Minimally Invasive Treatments Available For Bothersome Leg Veins
- Self-Care Steps Can Help Control Periodontitis Over the Long Term
- Nuclear Stress Test Can Help Evaluate Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease
- Thyroiditis May Be to Blame for Switching Between Hypo- and Hyperthyroidism
- Treatment For Dry Eyes Focuses on Relieving Symptoms
- No Link Found Between Psoriasis and Allergies
- Over-the-Counter Head Lice Treatments Not Always Enough
- Kids' Health Ailments Adults Can Get Too
- Stressed? Listen to Your Body!
- Virus That Causes Warts Can Be Passed To Others
- Broken Bones Can Lead to Fat Embolism Syndrome
- Tummy Troubles? Try Exercise for Stomach Pain
- Metabolic Syndrome: Are You At Risk?
- Thorough Evaluation Required to Determine Cause of Daily Headache
- Rare Disorder Affecting Blood Vessels Requires Specialty Care
- Elevated Heart Rate Most Likely Caused by Medical Condition
- FDA Limits Prescription Acetaminophen
- Chronic Bronchitis Causes and Treatment
- Several Factors to Consider Before Taking Calcium Supplements
- Blood Disorder Causes Body to Make Too Many Red Blood Cells
- Colon Cancer Symptoms Similar in Different Age Groups
- The Shingles Vaccine: Would You Use It?
- Cold Feet That Aren't Cold to the Touch May Indicate Neurologic Problem
- Is It Alzheimer's?
- Preventing Stroke: You Can Change Some Factors That Increase Your Risk
- Stomach Muscles Working Incorrectly Can Lead to Gastroparesis
- Chronic Acid Reflux May Lead to Barrett's Esophagus For Some
- Insulin Toppled As Ruler of Diabetes
- Diet Does Play a Role in the Development of Some Forms of Arthritis
- ADD Begins in Childhood But Can Continue Into Adulthood
- Possible Risk Associated With Taking Vitamin E Supplements
Copyright © 2011 Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic
