What can you do to reduce your risk of breast cancer? Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women (except for skin cancers). One in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime with an estimated 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer in 2017.
“With these sobering statistics, a very common question is ‘How can I decrease my breast cancer risk?’ There are many unavoidable risk factors for breast cancer including gender, age, family history, genetics, personal history of breast cancer, prior radiation to the chest, menstrual and pregnancy history, race/ethnicity, and certain breast changes. However, there are also several modifiable breast cancer risk factors that women can focus on to decrease their risk of breast cancer and to live a healthier life,” explains Eleonora Teplinsky, M.D., Director, Breast Medical Oncology, Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care.
Alcohol:
- Drinking alcohol is associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer
- Any amount of alcohol can increase breast cancer risk, but the risk starts to increase significantly with three drinks or more a week
- Studies have shown a 10 percent increase in risk with each 10 grams per day of alcohol intake (one drink has approximately 14 grams of alcohol)
