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Primary care
providers at
Samaritan
Healthcare are
accepting new
patients. To make
an appointment,
call
793-9780
.
As of yet, there is no sure way to prevent
breast cancer, the second-leading cause
of cancer deaths among women in this
country. Even so, there are clear steps
women can take to reduce their risk. And
October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness
Month, is the ideal time to take them.
One key safeguard is for women to maintain a
healthy weight, especially in midlife and later. After
menopause, most of the hormone estrogen in a wom-
an’s body comes from fat cells. Estrogen can spur the
growth of many breast tumors, and being overweight
or obese can raise breast cancer risk. Women may be
especially vulnerable to breast cancer if extra pounds
settle on their waist, rather than their hips and thighs.
These additional steps may help women reduce
their risk for breast cancer, according to the American
Cancer Society (ACS):
●
●
Avoid alcohol.
Drinking is clearly tied to a height-
ened risk of developing breast cancer. In fact, your
risk increases the more you drink.
●
●
Be active.
A growing body of research indicates
that exercise lowers breast cancer risk. Aim for 150
minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of
vigorous-intensity activity each week.
●
●
Carefully weigh the pros and cons of hormone
therapy.
Hormone therapy that uses both estrogen
and progesterone can increase breast cancer risk in
as few as two years of use. The use of estrogen alone
after menopause does not seem to raise the risk of
developing breast cancer. If a woman and her doc-
tor agree that hormone therapy is necessary to ease
bothersome menopausal symptoms such as hot
flashes, it is best to take the lowest effective dose for
the shortest possible time.
Since breast cancer can develop even with these
precautions, the ACS advises women to have yearly
mammograms (breast x-rays) starting at age 40 and
continuing for as long as they are in good health.
OCTOBER
A good time
to consider
breast
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