Preventing Breast Cancer Naturally

Breast cancer can be a terrifying thought for many women. Unlike most cancers, breast cancer can affect a woman psychologically and emotionally as well as physically, since it has a direct impact on her body image, and on her feelings about womanhood and sexuality.

One in 8 women will develop breast cancer in the USA in her lifetime, about 12%. One could look at it the other way and say 7 out of 8 women will not develop it, but if anything can be done to prevent cancer, it’s always a good idea to try to follow the guidelines so you don’t end up one of the unfortunate ones.

Genetic versus lifestyle factors
While it is true that breast cancer does have a genetic component, it is also true that any health issue can be affected by certain lifestyle factors. Therefore, it is possible to prevent breast cancer naturally by being pro-active about your health. Here are several of the best ways to warn off serious health issue and stay looking and feeling your best until well into your senior years.

Quit smoking
Smoking tobacco has been linked to nearly a dozen different types of cancer, not just lung cancer. Each cigarette contains about 400 different kinds of chemicals to the body, some of them toxic. If you smoke, quit. And invest all the money you’ve been spending on this habit on other things that will improve your health.

Quit drinking alcohol
Alcohol has also been linked to at least 7 different types of cancer. It is also linked with eating disorders, diabetes, and disinhibition, that is, a lack of control, and making poor choices about one’s health. Invest all the money you’ve been spending on alcohol on healthier food and drink.

Stop eating red meat
Red meat, especially if it has been charred, grilled or cooked until well done, has been associated with various cancers, including breast and prostate cancer. Stop eating red meat and swap salmon, tofu, kidney beans and legumes such as lentils instead. All of these are ‘super foods’ with a great deal of nutrition that are high in protein and fiber to help you feel full, and low in calories, to help you keep your weight down.

Avoid processed foods
Steer clear of anything you don’t cook yourself from scratch at home. In most cases, it will be filled with chemicals, additives and preservatives. Fast food and processed meats like sliced ham and turkey, and hot dogs, should definitely be off the menu.

 
If you are overweight, slim down to a healthy weight
Use the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
to determine your current BMI. If you are not at a healthy weight already, use the charts to determine what a healthy weight would be given your height and bone structure, and make that a target to aim for.

Add more plant-based foods to your diet
These foods are filling, low in calories in fat, and high in nutrition, especially if you aim for super foods such as broccoli, kale, spinach and sweet potatoes, and apples, berries and cranberries, such as dried raisins to satisfy your sweet tooth. Many people go vegetarian or vegan for health reasons.

Exercise more
A combination of low calorie foods and high levels of physical activity are sure to help you lose weight and keep it off. Consider a walking program of 10,000 steps a day. Wear a pedometer-every step counts. Add yoga twice a week for 30 minutes and you should stay lean and trim.

Avoiding lots of chemicals in your personal care products, household cleaners and so on
Consider creating your own natural versions of these at home using pure Castile soap, lemon and other wholesome ingredients.

Avoid hormones
If you are of childbearing years, don’t take the birth control pill. If you are going through menopause, steer clear of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Some cancers have a hormonal component.

https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/cancer/breast-cancer/