5 science-backed ways to lower your risk of breast cancer

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August 3, 2017 4:03 PM

While there are some things women can't control, certain lifestyle choices can have a big impact on a woman's risk.

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Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women around the world.

There are a number of habits that put us at greater risk of breast cancer. Knowing what those habits are can help you take steps to decrease the risk.

The detailed the factors that can put women at greater risk for breast cancer. While there are some things women can't control, certain lifestyle choices can have a big impact on a woman's risk.

Here's what you can do to decrease your risk.

Exercise.

Exercising regularly and vigorously is one way to decrease your breast cancer risk.

Maintain a healthy weight.

National Cancer Institute

Breastfeed.

Breastfeeding has been linked to a lower risk of breast cancer for mothers. In 2002, a massive study of nearly 150,000 women found that for those who breastfed, the longer they breastfed the more protected they were against breast cancer.

For every 12 months a mother breastfed, her risk of breast cancer went down by about 4%. The World Health Organization recommends that mothers breastfeed for their babies' first six months.

Limit how much alcohol you drink.

head and neck, esophageal, liver, breast, and colorectal cancers

Eat a diet high in non-starchy vegetables — and carrots.

Eating non-starchy vegetables, foods with carotenoids like carrots and tomatoes, and foods that are high in calcium all might have an effect on lowering your risk of breast cancer. The AICR said that these dietary aspects still have limited evidence in their favor.

Having diets high in these types of foods, especially vegetables, is generally a good move for your overall health.

Know that there are some things you can't control.

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Your risk of breast cancer can also increase if you get your first period early or go through menopause late. If you have taken oral contraceptives that have estrogen and progesterone, they can increase risk as well, AICR notes.

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