Five Lifestyle Choices That Can Impact Breast Health

I know easier said than done for most of us, but even just 30 mins of moderate exercise a day can make a huge difference in your breast (and overall) health. Getting moving and getting the blood pumping helps reduce the risk of developing breast cancer and can also reduce the risk of developing a breast cancer recurrence.

Hand in hand with exercise is a healthy diet of course. Getting your daily recommended values of fruits and vegetables can help to maintain a healthy weight, which helps with hormonal balance...all good things. And though no food is a cancer preventative, eating a diet low in fat and red meat while high in fruits and veggies can lower your risk.

We've all had those crazy nights out or the been to the wedding with the open bar, but in general keeping your alcohol intake low does wonders for your health. Drinking in moderation is one of the keys to breast health for women. In fact, even drinking as little as one alcoholic beverage a day increases a woman's risk.

Knowing about your past can help you in the future, especially with the discovery of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Though this genetic discovery does not necessarily mean you'll have breast cancer, mutations to these genes can increase your risks and perhaps would make you consider preventative measures before any cancer is present.

Probably the most important step in the fight against breast cancer. Early detection can make all the difference in a woman's survival. The earlier a tumor is caught, the more treatment options are available and the higher the survival rate. So make sure you get a base line mammogram by 35 and return for yearly exams from 40 on...unless told otherwise by your doctor.