5 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer

A recent study suggests breast cancer appears to be on the rise for people under 50 years old in the United States. According to Julia McGuinness, MD, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, one way to combat this trend is to reduce your risk of breast cancer. 

To learn more about strategies for reducing the risk of breast cancer, we met up with Dr. McGuinness. Here's what she had to say.   

As a breast medical oncologist, I spend a lot of time thinking about how people can reduce their risk of breast cancer. Here are my top five recommendations. 

1. Exercise regularly. That means 150 minutes (about two and a half hours) of moderate-intensity exercise every week, such as walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, like running or spinning. 
2. Maintain a healthy weight. That means a Body Mass Index in the range of 19-25. That's because one source of estrogen in your body is fat cells, and higher estrogen levels can increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. 
3. Eat a balanced diet, including fruits and vegetables. By "balanced," I mean getting your nutrition from a variety of healthful foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein are all great sources of nutrients and energy.
4. Minimize alcohol intake. We now know that excess alcohol intake is a risk factor for many cancers, including breast cancer. In general, we recommend that women consume no more than one drink per day, on average. 
5. Consider taking anti-estrogen medications if you're at high risk for breast cancer. You should talk with your doctor about what your risk factors for breast cancer are, such as a family history of breast cancer or a history of prior breast biopsies. Women who are considered at higher-than-average risk for breast cancer have the option to take anti-estrogen medications such as tamoxifen for several years, which could cut their risk of breast cancer in half. These medications have potential side effects, though, so be sure to talk to a breast cancer specialist about whether they are a good option for you. 

So, there they are: five things you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer. Let's all work together to minimize our risk. 

Columbia University Irving Medical Center is home to the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of only 51 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. To learn more about cancer prevention and treatment at Columbia, visit cancer.columbia.edu.