How to Prevent Breast Cancer

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Long before they get their first pimple, budding breasts remind them they're women in training. They want them to grow bigger, they wish they would stop growing. It  can be mind-twisting seeing others too small others flatter whilst others are round like ball -and definately why even responsible family-men can't resist staring at them. 
Kim Kardashian, American celebrity in one of her stunning revelations said this,  "I remember crying in the bathtub. I took a washcloth, made it hot, put it over my chest and prayed, ‘Please don't let them grow any bigger. They're embarrassing me.' I was the first girl in my class to wear a bra. All my friends were super skinny, and that just wasn't my body type. But I watched my mum, who was always comfortable with herself, and she helped me with my outlook.'' 

Bigger or smaller, breasts still remain incredible part of a female -one of the most fascinating occurences on females that do not only define their feminism but symbolize the magnificient outpour of a woman's beauty. 

Written by  Abet Tonny

Unfortunately, women all over the world are threatened by one breast munching disease -cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most ruthless forms of cancer claiming thousands of lives of women annually indirectly contributing to a fast rise in the number of orphans and broken families as widowers fail to stabilise the family after the soul-sapping loss of loved ones. 

Gettrude is a Breast Cancer Survivor, Uganda

Acording to WHO, 7.6 million people died from cancer in 2008, and in 2018, 9.6 million deaths from cancer were recorded. This is sharp increase in number of deaths by over 2 million -a lot of people! And WHO projects nearly 11 million people dying from cancer annually by 2030. 

There are different types of cancer and the most common ones include; lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, skin cancer and stomach cancer.  

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. In any four women battling with cancer, one them is suffering from breast cancer, this is according to Breast Cancer Research Fund.

Let's read the WHO heart throbbing projection which time is proving its reliabllility as we can see the trend from 2008 to 2018 and we yet have 12 more years to go.

Key statistics

• In 2008, 7.6 million people died from cancer accounting for 13% of all deaths worldwide.
• The number of global cancer deaths is projected to increase by 45% between 2008 and 2030.
• About 70% of the cancer deaths in 2008 occurred in low- and middle-income-countries.
• About 30% of the cancer deaths could be avoided by a change of life style and more healthy behaviours.
• The vast majority of cancer deaths are preventable: every year 1.5 million people die from cancer linked to tobacco.
• Vaccination against the human papilloma virus (HPV) and screening for pre-cancer or cancer are key tools to prevent the 530 000 new cervical cancer cases diagnosed every year.

So the question is, how can I or my loved ones stay safe??? Well, let's explore the way out from breast cancer in the next 3 minutes from one of US oldest,  SITEMAN CANCER CENTER with a Siteman  doctor.

1. Keep Weight in Check

It’s easy to tune out because it gets said so often, but maintaining a healthy weight is an important goal for everyone. Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.

2. Be Physically Active

Exercise is as close to a silver bullet for good health as there is, and women who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to help keep weight in check.

3. Eat Your Fruits & Vegetables – and Avoid Too Much Alcohol

A healthy diet can help lower the risk of breast cancer.  Try to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and keep alcohol at moderate levels or lower (a drink a day or under).  While moderate drinking can be good for the heart in older adults, even low levels of intake can increase the risk of breast cancer.  If you don’t drink, don’t feel you need to start. If you drink moderately, there’s likely no reason to stop. But, if you drink more, you should cut down or quit.

4. Don’t Smoke

Smokers and non-smokers alike know how unhealthy smoking is.  On top of lowering quality of life and increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and at least 15 cancers – including breast cancer – it also causes smelly breath, bad teeth, and wrinkles. Now that’s motivation to stay smoke-free or work to get smoke-free.

5. Breastfeed, If Possible

Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more (combined for all children) lowers the risk of breast cancer. It also has great health benefits for the child.

6. Avoid Birth Control Pills, Particularly After Age 35 or If You Smoke

Birth control pills have both risks and benefits. The younger a woman is, the lower the risks are. While women are taking birth control pills, they have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. This risk goes away quickly, though, after stopping the pill. The risk of stroke and heart attack is also increased while on the pill – particularly if a woman smokes. However, long-term use can also have important benefits, like lowering the risk of ovarian cancer, colon cancer and uterine cancer – not to mention unwanted pregnancy – so there’s also a lot in its favor. If you’re very concerned about breast cancer, avoiding birth control pills is one option to lower risk.

7. Avoid Post-Menopausal Hormones

Post-menopausal hormones shouldn’t be taken long term to prevent chronic diseases, like osteoporosis and heart disease. Studies show they have a mixed effect on health, increasing the risk of some diseases and lowering the risk of others, and both estrogenonly hormones and estrogen-plus-progestin hormones increase the risk of breast cancer. If women do take post-menopausal hormones, it should be for the shortest time possible. The best person to talk to about the risks and benefits of post-menopausal hormones is your doctor.

8. Tamoxifen and Raloxifene for Women at High Risk

Although not commonly thought of as a “healthy

behavior,” taking the prescription drugs tamoxifen

and raloxifene can significantly lower the risk of

breast cancer in woman at high risk of the disease.

Approved by the Drugs Authority for breast cancer prevention,

these powerful drugs can have side effects, so

they aren’t right for everyone. If you think you’re

at high risk, talk to your doctor to see if tamoxifen or raloxifene may be right for you

And the last good news is that there are handfuls of breast cancer survivors. Read more here>>> SHARE Cancer Support. Their stories will inspire you -if you are a victim or taking care of one. Follow Gettrude's survival story here>>>Gettrude survives breast cancer inpires many

Uganda is putting all efforts to fight breast cancer.

This is a sharing by Abet Tonny
Science Writer based in Uganda, East Africa.

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