Many women desire to have rounder and fuller breasts and they invest in breast augmentation surgery to achieve the same. But they often do not care for their breasts. It is important to take good care of your breasts to avoid the risk of breast cancer. Breast care is as important as skin care regardless of how young or old you are. Healthy breast begins with good breast care and being well-informed about breast health facts. So here are some key breast health facts.
Five Facts about Breast Health
- Chances of Breast Cancer: Breast cancer is common among American women. One out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The average risk for breast cancer is above 12 percent and there is an 88 percent chance a woman will never have breast cancer.
- Two Major Risk Factors: The two main risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and getting older. The older the women gets the higher will be the chances of getting breast cancer. In most cases, women are diagnosed with breast cancer after they reach 50 years of age.
- Family History: If your family has a history of breast cancer, then the chances of getting breast cancer is always high, but with only 5 to 10 percent chance. You can develop breast cancer, even of your family has had no cases of breast cancer ever. So, understanding your family history is useful but not completely reliable.
- Minimize the Risk for Breast Cancer: A healthy diet, minimum alcohol consumption and smoking, and regular exercising can lower the chances of getting breast cancer.
- Breast Cancer is Treatable: If cancer is detected at an early stage, then it can be successfully treated. To detect breast cancer in its early stages, women should undergo mammography. Breast Center recommends annual screening mammograms for all women starting at age 40 so that cancer can be detected early and treated.
Best Breast Care Tips
- Massage and Moisturize: There are lymph nodes around your breast that carry fluid called lymph, which helps fight off illness. Massaging in the direction that your lymph wants to move, towards the heart, keeps the fluid moving. It helps you to relax, destress and it is a great way to show some love to your body. Similarly, it is important to moisturize your breast because the skin around your breasts is thin and can be particularly sensitive. So using a thicker cream that doesn’t have any irritating chemicals prevents your chest area from becoming dry and sore.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet and Exercise: Like your body, the breasts also need nourishment. So, have a healthy diet that contains healthy fats and nutrient-dense foods, such as nuts, eggs, milk and vegetables. Exercising regularly keeps you healthy and reduces the chances of breast cancer by 10 to 30 percent.
- Wear the Right Size Bra: Many women do not know that wearing the wrong size bra is one of the common reasons for getting breast cancer. So, wear a bra that fits well.
- Self-examine your Breast: Practicing monthly breast self-exams to check for anything that’s not normal for you, such as any unusual lumps or swelling is the best way to find out if you have a higher risk of breast cancer. If you find any abnormality, then reach out to a doctor.
- Breastfeeding can Help: Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in preventing breast cancer. If you breast feed for a longer period of time, it can protect you.
Be vigilant about breast cancer and if you notice any changes in your breasts, such as a new lump or skin changes, consult your doctor.
