7 Breast Health Important Tips💡

A vital part of staying healthy is being aware of your breast health. Women are more likely than men to develop breast cancer, which is second only to lung cancer in terms of prevalence. In addition to benign breast changes, you can also have intraductal papillomas or cysts in your breasts. It is important to keep an eye on any changes in your breasts and to consult your healthcare provider if you notice any abnormal changes.

Why to Prioritize Your Breast Health?

Every day is filled with too many things to do. There are a lot of responsibilities in life, such as family, career, and taking care of others. While working through your to-do list, it can be challenging to prioritize self-care. Nevertheless, it is important to take time for yourself and focus on your health, wellness, and breast health. It is so important to schedule a screening mammogram each year for a variety of reasons. A few of them are listed below:

• • There is a high incidence of breast cancer among young women as well

• • Detecting cancer early saves lives

• • You can fit it into your busy schedule

There is a high incidence of breast cancer among young women as well

In addition to being a woman, aging is one of the biggest risk factors for breast cancer. One in eight women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime, and one in six will develop it between the ages of 40 and 49. Breast cancer is more likely to be hereditary among young women than among older women, although most women diagnosed have no family history of the disease. A young woman who develops breast cancer is also more likely to find it at a later stage and to have a more aggressive and difficult time treating it.

It is for all of these reasons that breast health experts recommend having an annual screening mammogram starting at forty years old. The biggest mortality reduction, the most lives saved, and the greatest life years gained have been shown by clinical experience to be achieved by annual screening at age 40+. Mammography saves 40% more life in women in their 40s than in women any age other than their own. This can be seen as one of the reasons why early detection of breast cancer saves more lives than late detection.

Detecting cancer early saves lives

Patients and their families can save more lives with early breast cancer detection, less invasive treatments, and reduced healthcare costs. Screening mammography has made it possible to detect breast cancer at an early stage when it is most treatable. In order to improve patient outcomes, 3D mammograms can detect breast cancer 2-3 years before the patient or physician feels a lump. Five-year survival rates for women diagnosed with Stage 0 or Stage 1 are nearly 100%.

Each year, mammograms save approximately 6,500 women’s lives and reduce breast cancer deaths by approximately 40%. Breast health experts warn women against skipping your yearly mammogram or going longer intervals in between as this may leave cancers undetected, putting them at greater risk. Because of the importance of annual mammograms in detecting and treating breast cancer, they do not recommend skipping your yearly screening or going longer intervals in between.

If you have any changes in your breast health or potential risk factors for breast cancer, discuss them with your provider at your annual well visit. Mammograms can be performed starting at age 40 if there are no concerns. To establish a baseline, women at risk for breast cancer can begin screening at 35 if they have identified risk factors.

You can fit it into your busy schedule

Annual mammograms can be scheduled around your busy schedule. Appointments can be scheduled at convenient times and even the next day, and the examination itself will take less than 30 minutes. Women age 40 and over do not need a physician’s referral to receive an annual screening mammogram, and most insurance plans cover 100% of the cost. The importance of prioritizing your breast health cannot be overstated. No matter when you schedule your mammogram, it is vital for your wellbeing.

Best Breast Health Tips For You

Here are some tips for breast care if you’re ready to start feeling your best and pursuing a healthier lifestyle. 

• • Ensure breast health by screening yourself

• • Take a breast self-exam

• • Stop smoking cigarettes

• • Learn about your family’s history

• • Weight management

• • Drink in moderation

• • Folic acid is important

• • Take steps to improve your posture

Ensure breast health by screening yourself

You can detect early signs of cancer by regularly checking your breasts once a month. Set a reminder on your smartphone to remind you to do this each month so you don’t forget.

Take a breast self-exam

You will become familiar with your breast’s size, shape, and texture over time as you regularly perform self-examinations. As a result, you’ll notice if anything feels off or if there are any discharges, rashes, or lumps on your breast. You should schedule an appointment with your doctor if you notice a lump or something irregular. Keep calm and don’t panic. It is possible for breast lumps to be caused by other conditions besides cancer. The best way to determine if there are any concerns is to consult with your doctor.

Stop smoking cigarettes

There is no doubt that smoking is one of the most important causes of many serious illnesses, including breast cancer. Compared with non-smokers, women who smoke have a 30% higher risk of breast cancer. The risks associated with smoking increase with time, with years of smoking increasing the risk. You may be able to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer later in life if you quit now.

Learn about your family’s history

Make sure to ask your relatives and loved ones if they have any history of breast cancer. Gene mutations passed down from parents to children are believed to cause 5-10% of breast cancer cases. This information can help you detect any mutation early on if you share it with your medical provider.

Weight management

Your breast health is important to the health of your body, as we mentioned earlier. There have been links between high estrogen levels in fat cells and certain types of cancer. It is actually possible for staying active to shrink fat cells, thus reducing the amount of estrogen your body produces. 

Drink in moderation

The majority of us enjoy a glass of red wine after a long workday or at the weekend with friends. The body produces more estrogen when you drink alcohol, thus increasing your risk of breast cancer. The recommended amount of alcohol consumption per week is two or fewer drinks.

Folic acid is important

There is a link between inadequate folate intake and impaired DNA repair ability. Folic acid is a naturally occurring form of folate. As a result, cancer has been linked to damaged DNA. The nutrient folic acid is found in a number of foods, including spinach and black-eyed peas. 

Take steps to improve your posture

Your posture is the best thing you can do to give your breasts an instant lift. Over time, hunched shoulders can cause the chest muscles to lose flexibility, causing sagging. Try taking up an exercise that will improve your posture during the day and pay attention to how you stand and sit throughout the day. In addition, try to incorporate a few desk stretches throughout the day.