Prevention of breast cancer is not an actual treatment procedure. It is steps you can take to decrease your chances of getting breast cancer. Avoiding risk factors and increasing protective factors may help prevent breast cancer.
These risk factors include:
Endogenous Estrogens are hormones naturally produced by the female body. Long exposure to this hormone increases the risk of breast cancer. Early menstruation, late menopause and late or not being pregnant over 35 years of age increase estrogens exposure to the breast tissues.
Exposure to frequent radiation therapy, such as chest x-ray, especially for inheritors of breast cancer.
Obesity in mostly post-menopausal women who have not had hormonal replacement therapy
Obesity in mostly post-menopausal women who have not had hormonal replacement therapy
High level of alcohol consumption
Inherited risk of women who inherited certain genes are at high risk. Check to see if your family has a history of breast cancer!
The steps you can take to lower your risk of breast cancer include:
Receiving a yearly mammogram beginning at age 40 years old, or 35 years old if you have a family history of breast cancer.
Frequent safe exercise helps reduce the level of estrogen produced by the body and can help lower breast cancer risk.
Decreasing the breast tissue exposure to estrogen by breast feeding, early menopause, pregnancy etc. would reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) are drugs that act as estrogen on some tissues and block estrogen effects on other tissues. These drugs, Tamoxifen and Raloxifene, are used to strengthen bones in women with decreased bone density (osteoporosis).
Aromatase inhibitors blocks the action of an enzyme called aromatase, which is used to make all of the body's estrogens and decreases its amount. Side effects may include osteoporosis and effects on brain function like memory, talking etc.
Prophylaactic Mastectomy is the removal of both breasts when there are no signs of breast cancer. This is mostly common with inheritors but it is required to get counseling and cancer risk assessment.
Prophylactic Oophorectomy is the removal of the ovaries without the sign of cancer.
Fenretinide is a type of vitamin A called a retinoid. Fenretinide may lower the risk of premenopausal women who have had a history of breast cancer. Some side effects include night blindness, skin disorders. Pregnancy must be avoided while women are taking this drug because the fetus could be harmed.
Some other factors that have not been proven, but may be linked to breast cancer are
abortion, environment, diet, oral contraceptives and active or passive smoking.
Don't forget to talk to your doctor about your personal risk, share your family health history, get screened and make healthy lifestyle choices!
Reference
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/breast/Patient/page3#Keypoint4
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