Breast Cancer Prevention

There are various daily choices you can make to help decrease your risk of developing cancer. Some of these choices are not smoking, eating healthy, and staying active. In addition, it is important to stay up to date on recommended screenings that can detect certain cancers at an earlier date.

Refrain from Tobacco

Refrain from Tobacco

There are many health risks associated with smoking tobacco. According to the American Cancer Society, about half of all Americans who keep smoking will die of the habit. Each year smoking causes 1 out of 5 deaths in the US. Smoking accounts for about 30% of all cancer deaths in the United States. There is no safe way to use tobacco. Cigars, pipes, spit, cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco all cause cancer. To learn more about tobacco and cancer and/or for helpful tips on how to stop smoking, please visit American Cancer Society.

Nutrition & Physical Activity Guidelines

American Cancer Society Nutrition & Physical Activity Guidelines

The World Cancer Research Fund estimates that about 20% of all cancers diagnosed in the US are related to body fat, physical inactivity, excess alcohol consumption, and/or poor nutrition.

The American Cancer Society Guidelines recommend achieving and maintaining a healthy weight throughout life. These guidelines are summarized as follows:

  • Be as lean as possible throughout life without being underweight.
  • Avoid excess weight gain at all ages. For those who are overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight has health benefits and is a good place to start.
  • Get regular physical activity and limit intake of high-calorie foods and drinks.
  • Adults: Get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week (or a combination of these), preferable spread throughout the week.
  • Children: Get at least 1 hour of moderate or vigorous intensity activity each day, with vigorous activity on at least 3 days each week.
  • Limit sedentary behavior such as sitting, lying down, watching television, and other forms of screen-based entertainment.
  • Eat a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant based food.
  • Limit how much processed meat and red meat you eat.
  • Eat at least 2 ½ cups of vegetables and fruits each day.
  • Choose whole grains instead of refined grain products.
  • If you drink alcohol, limit your intake. It is recommended you drink no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 per day for men.

For most adults, experts consider a Body Mass Index (BMI) within the range of 18.5 to 24.9 to be healthy, a BMI between 25 and 29.9 to be overweight, and a BMI of 30 and over to obese. Body Mass Index is a screening tool that calculates your height and weight to determine your risk for weight related diseases.

To learn more about prevention by analyzing your own personal lifestyle and implementing appropriate changes, you can make a consultation with our Nutritional Specialist.

Carcinogens

Carcinogens

Substances and exposures that can lead to cancer are called carcinogens. California’s Proposition 65, also called the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, requires the state to publish a list of chemicals, at least once a year, that are “known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.” For more information, a complete list can be found on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment website here.

Meet Our Breast Health Care Team

The Margie Petersen Breast Center at Providence Saint John’s Health Center brings you some of the finest breast health and cancer care in Southern California.

Meet Our Breast Health Experts

Margie Petersen Breast Team

Questions?

The Breast Health Clinic can be reached at (310) 582-7209. If you have questions regarding a new symptom or want to make an appointment for evaluation please call and a staff member will assist with navigating you in the right direction.

Schedule an Appointment For more information