Fight breast cancer every day

MAT-SU — Before breast cancer awareness month ends, stop to consider what it really means to be breast cancer aware.

For most, it means understanding the importance of screening and early detection. Many women know the recommendations for yearly mammograms starting at age 40, clinical and self-breast exams starting at 20 and increased frequency of each for women with higher risk factors.

However, being breast cancer aware means more than that. It means living aware of cancer outside of the yearly check-up and doing everything you can to mitigate the danger on a day-to-day basis.

While many risk factors are completely out of control, the non-profit group Breastcancer.org lists changes you can make to your life that may significantly reduce your chances of getting breast cancer.

• Stop Smoking. Smoking increases the risk of developing breast cancer. It can also lead to difficulties during treatment of cancer — damaged lungs are more susceptible to radiation damage, the risk of blood clots with hormonal therapy increases, and smokers can have trouble healing from surgeries.

• Get more exercise. Getting five hours of exercise each week may lower the risk of getting breast cancer. Exercise lowers levels of estrogen in the body, and less estrogen means less stimulation of breast cell growth. Exercise can also boost the immune system, limit weight gain from chemotherapy and reduce side effects from treatment.

• Maintain a healthy weight. Extra fat cells produce estrogen, stimulating breast growth and increasing the risk of breast cancer. Keeping the weight down is especially important for women after menopause and those who have had the disease.

• Reduce your exposure to estrogen. There are many ways to do this. Besides what was already mentioned, avoid estrogen- and progesterone-like products. Also, alcohol damages the liver, and the liver regulates estrogen levels in the body. Do not drink, or drink less than five alcoholic drinks per week. Having children early and breast feeding will mature breast cells making them less susceptible to cancer.

• Learn about good nutrition and eating habits. Avoid red meat, animal fats and processed food. They may contain hormones, antibiotics and pesticides, and they will increase cholesterol levels, both of which some researchers say contribute to cancer risk. A diet high in fruit and vegetables will help you maintain a healthy weight. There is no evidence organic foods are healthier than traditional foods, but they do limit your exposure to pesticides, hormones and antibiotics.

• Relax. Not only will this increase your quality of life, but new studies suggest reducing stress levels can boost the immune system, essential to fighting the disease.

On this notes, as the pink ribbon month draws to a close, now is the time come together. Don’t just be aware, be active. Join a support group to stop smoking. Make a pact with your spouse to lose 10 pounds. Don’t sit there. Get up.