Choosing healthy lifestyle choices may help lower your risk of different types of cancer and other health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. While not all of the behaviors listed here lower the risk of breast cancer, in general, they are good for your health.
- Be physically active
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. People diagnosed with breast cancer who are overweight or obese should limit high-calorie foods and beverages and increase physical activity to help with weight loss.
- Eat at least 2 ½ cups of fruits and vegetables every day.
- Choose 100 percent whole grain foods such as 100 percent whole grain breads and cereals, brown rice, millet and quinoa.
- Limit red meat and processed meat. Choose chicken, fish or beans more often.
- Limit “bad” fats such as saturated and trans fats. These are found in foods such as red meat, fatty deli meats, poultry skin, full fat dairy products, fried foods, margarine, donuts and microwave popcorn.
- Eat “good” fats such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. These are found in foods such as olive and canola oil, nuts and natural nut butters, avocados and olives.
- Limit alcohol to less than 1 drink a day for women and fewer than 2 drinks a day for men.
- Get regular screening tests and treatment if diagnosed. Screening tests can find breast cancer early, when the chances for survival are highest.
It’s never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Once you become more active, start eating right and making other healthy choices you will see the benefits both physically and mentally and that’s a great reward no matter when you begin.
To find about more about living a healthy lifestyle see our resources on komen.org.
