October is breast cancer awareness month and Seattle's Mama Doc sat down with KING 5 to share what women need to know. Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson shared how women can be aware of their risk for breast cancer and things they can do to reduce that risk.
Ways to Decrease Risk:
- Exercise at any time in your life reduces risk of breast cancer
- Alcohol (>2 drinks/day) increases risk
- Obesity increases risk -- work to achieve a healthy weight
Tips for Mothers:
- Early pregnancy, and multiple pregnancies reduce risk
- Breast-feeding reduces risk!
- Late period start, early menopause both decrease risk
- Birth control pills don't cause breast cancer!
What Women Need to Know:
- Mammography reduces death rate of breast cancer. Most women should start at 40, but some earlier
- Young women and high-risk women may want to have an MRI or an Ultrasound
- Work on increasing exercise and getting to healthy weight
- Family history changes risk--know health of your mom, siblings
Related Links:
- Breast Cancer Myths De-bunked
- Ways To Decrease Breast Cancer Risk
- Why Alcohol Is Linked To Breast Cancer
- Genetic Risks For Breast Cancer
- Young Survival Coalition
More about Dr. Swanson: Facebook | Twitter: @SeattleMamaDoc | Read Her Blog
