Healthy Life-style Selections to Decrease Your Breast Cancer Danger – The Gilmer Mirror

Dr. Robert Droder

By Robert Droder, MD

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s a superb time to consider steps you may take to guard your well being. While not all danger components might be managed, wholesome habits can decrease your likelihood of growing sure cancers and different well being issues. Small adjustments could make an enormous distinction.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being at a wholesome weight lowers your danger for a lot of well being issues, together with some cancers. Talk together with your supplier about what a wholesome weight seems to be like for you. Even shedding a number of kilos might help in case you are above your preferrred vary. If you want further assist, your care staff might help you create a protected and life like plan.

Choose Healthy Foods

Fuel your physique with extra fruits, greens and entire grains resembling brown rice or 100% whole-wheat bread. Try to restrict pink meat like beef, pork and lamb, and keep away from processed meats resembling bacon, sausage or deli meats. Cut again on sugary drinks, together with soda, sports activities drinks and fruit drinks.

Limit Alcohol

The healthiest selection is to keep away from alcohol altogether. If you do drink, restrict it to no a couple of drink a day. A single drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor.

Stay Active

Aim for at the least 150 minutes of average exercise every week, resembling strolling, gardening or taking part in together with your children or pets. If you may, add 75 minutes of extra vigorous exercise, like jogging, swimming or leaping rope. If you’re new to train, begin small and step by step improve your time.

Sit Less

Too a lot sitting can have an effect on your well being. Reduce display screen time when potential, together with TV, social media or video video games, and take breaks to maneuver round for those who sit for lengthy intervals at work.

Take Charge of Your Health

Healthy habits are an necessary step in decreasing your most cancers danger, however screenings are simply as essential. Mammograms can detect breast most cancers early, when it’s most treatable. If you’re 40 or older, make your well being a precedence this Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Call 903-531-8000 or schedule on-line at UTHealthEastTexas.com/mammogram.

Robert Droder, MD, is a board-certified hematology and oncology doctor on the UT Health East Texas HOPE Cancer Center.