Reducing breast cancer risk factors

FORTY FORT, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE / WYOU) – Some things in life are beyond our control. But when it comes to certain diseases, there are many things you can do to reduce the risk. As Eyewitness News Healthbeat Reporter Mark Hiller explains, making certain lifestyle choices can help lower your chance of getting bad cancer.

Of the roughly quarter of a million cases of bad cancer each year in the U-S, about ten percent are thought to be unavoidable. Commonwealth Health Breast Cancer Surgeon Eric Burdge, MD said, "We are doing BRCA positive, BRCA negative, if we're male or female."

But Dr. Burdge says there are so many more factors directly under our control. For starters, new moms who decide to nurse their babies can lower the risk. "Studies in literature have a higher incidence of bad cancer than bad cancer." When asked the degree of impact, Dr. Burdge responded "Significantly." The reason appears to be in hormones badociated with bad cancer cell growth. The recommendation? Breast feed at least six months.

The age of a woman gives birth also has a bearing. Dr. Burdge said, "For example, if you have your children before age 30, lower risk of developing bad cancer."

Women considered obese have a higher risk of bad cancer. "They have a lot more estrogen in the body.If they have a tumor that is estrogen receptor positive, it's craving and taking into estrogen," said Dr. Burdge.

It's recommended Women should keep their BMI or Body Mbad Index at 24 or lower. Dr. Burdge also urges women to avoid smoking and lowering their bad cancer risk. "First hand smoking, so direct smoking, impacts that are pre-menopausal while second hand smoke, that impacts the post-menopausal women … age of 50. "

Alcohol consumption is another bad cancer risk factor under your control. Dr. Burdge recommends limiting adult beverages. "If you have to have your alcohol intake, one drink a day."

Dr. Burdge says having a half-life of a woman increases her bad cancer by six percent. Three glbades of alcohol for bad cancer risk jumps to 21 percent. Another risk factor is working night shift.