Director, The Breast Center, New York Hospital Queens
Now, during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we hear many messages about getting mammograms regularly and doing self-breast exams. These habits are critical for detecting breast cancer as early as we can. I tell my patients that there are also opportunities to lower the risk of getting the disease in the first place.
Breast cancer awareness is not just about being aware that the disease exists.
Awareness events are a reminder to learn the facts and take control of your level of breast cancer risk - for both men and women.
Family history may play a large role in your future health. We now know that breast cancer risk is higher among women and men whose close blood relatives have this disease. The risk is lower in men, but it cannot be ignored. About 2,000 new cases of male breast cancer are diagnosed in America each year as compared to 200,000 cases in women, according to the American Cancer Society.
The good news is that by managing certain lifestyle choices, some people can reduce risks of getting breast cancer.
Lifestyle choices including drinking alcohol, eating fatty foods and living “a couch potato” lifestyle may increase the chances of developing breast cancer.
Just recently, another scientific study showed that by drinking two or more alcoholic beverages a day a person enters a higher risk category for developing breast cancer. Elevated levels of alcohol in the body increase estrogen hormone production, which is a known stimulant in breast cancer growth.
A healthy, balanced diet is also important. Some evidence shows that eating foods that contain animal fat may increase the risk of the disease. Eat a healthy diet with an emphasis on vegetables. Foods that have been found to be good for your heart are also good for breast health. This includes eating five or more servings of vegetables and fruits each day, choosing whole grains over processed (refined) grains and limiting consumption of processed and red meats.
Keeping physically fit with exercise is another good way to lower breast cancer risk. Women who are extremely overweight are more likely to get breast cancer, especially in their later years. Women who have more fat tissue after menopause may develop a high estrogen level, which increases the likelihood of developing breast cancer. Women with no family history of breast cancer have been shown in studies to have up to a 20 percent lower risk of developing the disease if they exercise three to four hours a week.
Lifestyle choices are in our control, unlike family history, which is out of our control. Several years ago, I cared for a male patient who came to me terrified because he had a strong history of breast cancer in his family. He was afraid that he would pass the breast cancer gene along to his children. He also had a lump in his breast. As it turns out, the lump contained cancer cells, and he ended up needing a mastectomy.
Following his successful surgery, my patient decided to bring his family to The Breast Center for genetic counseling. The family was counseled on the pros and cons of learning their genetic status. His children were tested to determine if they had certain changed (mutated) genes linked to breast cancer.
Counseling before testing is important. Nowadays, genetic testing kits can be ordered direct from the manufacturer. It is strongly recommended that you talk first to a genetic counselor or doctor qualified to explain and interpret the results of these tests. It is very important to understand and carefully weigh the benefits and risks of genetic testing before these tests are done.
At www.nyhq.org you will find a helpful brochure on how to “Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer.” For more information on The Breast Center, genetic counseling or managing your cancer risks, call The Breast Center at 718-670-1185.
Karen Karsif, MD, a board-certified breast surgeon, is the Director of the Breast Center at New York Hospital Queens. She is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
