Breast Cancer: recommended lifestyle changes

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among Australian women with the risk of being diagnosed sitting at 1 in 7 women over a lifetime ¹. There has also been an increase in breast cancer diagnosis of 21% in the last 10 years².

While some risk factors for breast cancer are beyond your control, such as a family history or mutated BRAC1 and BRAC2 genes³, there are still lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk. ⁴

1. Get Regular Physical Activity: Engaging in regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer by supporting a healthy body weight and regulating hormone levels.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Maintaining a healthy body weight reduces the risk of breast cancer, as excess weight is associated with increased estrogen production, a factor in breast cancer development.
3. Avoid Carcinogenic Chemicals: Minimise exposure to carcinogenic chemicals found in common products. Be cautious with cosmetics, cleaning agents, and plastics containing potentially harmful compounds like phthalates, parabens, and BPA.
4. Eat a Balanced Diet: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides essential nutrients and antioxidants that help protect against breast cancer. It's also important to limit the consumption of processed foods, which may contain carcinogenic additives.
5. Limit Alcohol: Limiting alcohol intake to one standard drink per day or less lowers the risk of breast cancer by minimising potential carcinogenic effects.
6. Undertake Regular Screening: Regular breast cancer screening ensures early detection and increases the chances of successful treatment, limiting the impact of the disease.
   

How can MetLife 360Health help?

If you’re looking to make some lifestyle changes to help reduce your risk of cancer, you can chat to an accredited dietitian through the MetLife 360Health Nutrition Service or get a personalised fitness plan from an exercise physiologist through the MetLife 360Health Fitness and Mobility service.

MetLife 360Health services are included in your insurance coverage without any extra fees.

References:

1. Breast Cancer Network Australia
2. National Breast Cancer Foundation
3. medicineworld.org/cancer/breast/brca1-and-brca2-breast-cancer-associated-genes
4. Breast Cancer Network Australia