The Good News About Breast Cancer

By Ginny Graves

When you ask women which health problem they fear most, the overwhelming answer is breast cancer, according to a poll by the Society for Women’s Health Research. And who can blame us for being scared? The disease claims more than 40,000 lives every year, and the odds—one in eight women will develop it in her lifetime—definitely have a way of sticking in our minds.

But as frightening as these stats sound, there’s actually a lot of good news about breast cancer these days. “It’s an exciting time,” says Leslie Ford, M.D., associate director for clinical research in the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Prevention. “We’re starting to understand the molecular and genetic basis of tumors, which is helping us develop better ways to treat the disease and even prevent it in high-risk women.” These advances have made a significant impact: Death rates from breast cancer have declined steadily since 1990. When diagnosed and treated early, more than 90 percent of women with breast cancer now survive at least five years.

Raising your awareness of this disease is the first step toward lowering your risk. To keep you in the loop, we’ve gathered the latest research findings, along with tips from cancer experts and survivors, so you can take control of your breast health today.

simple everyday strategies to reduce your risk

Okay, there’s no getting around it: Certain factors—age, race, family history of the disease, and even your height—can affect your odds of getting breast cancer. In fact, simply being a woman is the number-one trait for developing the disease. Although you can’t erase these risk factors, research is yielding promising results about some simple things you can do to offset them.

FINE-TUNE YOUR DIET

Studies show that breast cancer is less common in countries where the typical diet is low in total fat and saturated fat. Another study found that women who eat a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits and vegetables lower their odds by as much as 15 percent.

GET PHYSICAL

Not only does regular exercise bolster your immune system; it also helps prevent the pounds from piling on as you age. And that’s a good thing for your breasts, since excess body fat increases the production of the hormone estrogen, which fuels many types of breast cancer. “Carrying extra weight is a huge risk factor for the disease after menopause, so it’s important to learn to control it while you’re young,” says Marji McCullough, Sc.D., a nutritional epidemiologist at the American Cancer Society. Now a new study has pinpointed the amount of exercise and the intensity level you need to reap breast health benefits. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin found that women who regularly worked up a sweat for at least six hours every week were 23 percent less likely to get breast cancer than those who didn’t exercise. Estrogen can spur abnormal breast-cell growth, explains Brian Sprague, Ph.D., lead study author and research assistant at the University of Wisconsin Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center in Madison. “Vigorous exercise shortens the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (the two or so weeks before you get your period), decreasing your exposure to that hormone.” (Turn to “The Workout That Can Lower Your Breast-Cancer Risk” on page 216 for a specific exercise prescription.)