PREVENTION / PREVENTION

There are a number of ways that you can decrease your chances of getting breast cancer.

1. LIFESTYLE AND DIET

We know that breast, uterine, ovarian and intestinal cancer rises among human groups that eat a lot of meat, lipids and animal fats, and only small quantities of vegetables and fruits. Hence, part of prevention is dependable on eating more vegetables, cereals, fruits, and reducing the intake of meat, lipids and animal fats.

2. FAMILY HISTORY

Risk increases nearly twice when there is a mother or a sister who has breast cancer (1.5 times only). When a relative suffers from cancer in her two breasts, the risk would be 5 times. If the relative has developed breast cancer before the age of 50, the risk will increase to 9 times. How- ever, if she were above 50, the risk would only be 1.5 times. Therefore, women have to adopt early detection and general instructions men- tioned above.

3. HEREDITARY FACTORS

As we mentioned above, if there were genetic mutation in BRCA1 and BRCA2, the risk of developing breast cancer would increase. This involves a small percentage of women, and it varies according to human groups. A woman, her sisters and relatives would need check-ups and follow with their doctor the instructions of early detection, starting at an early age, 10 years before the first case in the family. Choices and options of treat- ment for them also include prophylactic mastectomy and breast recon- struction, and/or oophorectomy, or chemoprevention with tamoxifen for example.

4. EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES AND INDUSTRIES

There are indicators that these might be responsible for many cases of cancer, but they are still subject to many scientific and field studies. There must be laws that regulate usage, monitor it and protect citizens from getting exposed to pesticides and carcinogenic chemicals.