Preventing Breast Cancer: How to Optimize Your Lifestyle

Did you know that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Germany? Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer. Every year, around 2.3 million women are diagnosed. And it’s not just older women who are affected—younger women are also at risk of breast cancer, which is why breast cancer prevention is so important. We know how you can optimize your lifestyle to protect yourself from and prevent breast cancer as far as is possible.

• What is breast cancer and how do you get it?
• Breast cancer prevention—how to effectively protect yourself
• • A healthy lifestyleEducate yourself and spot possible changesTake advantage of checkups with your gynecologistMammogramsHormone drugs can increase the risk of breast cancer
  • October: Breast cancer awareness month
• October: Breast cancer awareness month

What is breast cancer and how do you get it?

First we want to talk about what breast cancer is and how you get it. Healthy cells can sometimes grow uncontrollably in our body, or in the case of breast cancer in breasts, spread, and cause a lump to develop in the breast. In medical terms, this lump is a tumor. But having a tumor does not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer: there are malignant and benign tumors.

Benign tumors push into the surrounding tissue, but grow very slowly and do not penetrate it. Women who have a benign tumor do not have breast cancer. This kind of tumor might be caused by hormonal fluctuations, for example, and do not affect the woman. Benign tumors are generally monitored, and only removed if they cause discomfort or grow too fast.

Malign tumors however, penetrate the surrounding tissue, replace and even destroy it, and can form metastases in the body. These kinds of tumors grow very quickly, which is why they are so dangerous. The earlier these malign tumors are discovered, the better the chances of recovery.

The scientific term for breast cancer in the medical world is breast carcinoma. There are a couple of things you can do in your day-to-day life to prevent breast cancer.

Breast cancer prevention—how to effectively protect yourself

• A healthy lifestyle

It is important to eat healthily and get enough exercise for many reasons. For one thing, it can help prevent breast cancer. Experts recommend incorporating plenty of fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains into your diet, avoiding red and ultra-processed meat as much as possible, reducing sugar, and skipping alcohol. You should also try not to smoke. On top of a balanced and healthy diet, you should try to reach and then maintain a healthy weight. Regular exercise can help, and also helps with breast cancer prevention. Basically, a healthy lifestyle is massively important for your health!

• Educate yourself and spot possible changes

Early detection is essential with breast cancer, because it increases the chances of recovery. Try to educate yourself about the changes to your breasts that might mean you have breast cancer. For example, always get checked if you feel a hard lump that you didn’t have before that doesn’t move under the skin. If the size or shape of your breasts have changed in any way, or if you experience pain in your breasts, you should also get that checked out too. In this article we listed other possible signs/symptoms of breast cancer to look out for. It also includes tips for how to check your breasts. After all, you need to know your breasts and what to look out for so you can spot changes and get them checked out.

In general, the more you know about breast cancer, the better. Knowing all about it makes it easier for you to spot any possible symptoms or signs of breast cancer. But of course, this does not mean you don’t need checkups.

• Take advantage of checkups with your gynecologist

Your breasts will be checked at regular intervals at checkups with your gynecologist. In Germany, once you turn 30, this annual screening is covered by statutory health insurance. Speak to your gynecologist to find out the best way to check your breasts yourself. You should check them every month. We explained this in more detail in this blog post. As well as a check of your breasts, the checkup also includes a smear to rule out cervical cancer. Regular examinations by an expert are key to detecting and treating breast cancer early.

• Mammograms

After a certain age, it is advisable for women to also have a mammogram. This is a procedure where X-ray images are taken of your breasts: generally, two of each breast—one from the front, top to bottom, and a skewed picture from the middle of the body out to the side.

Usually this kind of examination is only offered and paid for by health insurance once you reach the age of 50. In Germany, women over the age of 50 are entitled to one every two years. Other countries might differ. You should definitely take advantage of the opportunity! However, if there is an increased risk of breast cancer in your family, you might be offered these checkups earlier. It is best to discuss this with your gynecologist. They should know better and be able to give you more information.

• Hormone drugs can increase the risk of breast cancer

Many people do not realize that hormone drugs such as the contraceptive pill can increase the risk of breast cancer. This risk is also linked to drugs that are used to relieve menopause symptoms. Bear this in mind, and ask your gynecologist about possible alternatives that are not linked with an increase in the risk of breast cancer.

October: Breast cancer awareness month

It’s important to be aware of breast cancer all year round, but in October there is a greater focus on raising awareness of this illness. This is critical for education. Use the opportunity to discuss breast cancer and breast cancer prevention this month, and find out everything you need to know.

Conclusion: Protect yourself and prevent breast cancer!

As we’ve already discussed, even young people are at risk of breast cancer. In fact, around 25% of women affected are under 50. Depending on your age, take these steps to protect yourself from breast cancer and detect possible symptoms early:

Age 30 and over: At this age you should check your breasts every month, and take advantage of the annual checkup with your gynecologist.

Age 40 and over: As well as checking yourself and attending the checkup with your gynecologist, a mammogram and ultrasound might be advisable from this age. However, you will have to pay for this yourself if you have statutory health insurance in Germany. Other countries might differ. Find out more or speak to your doctor.

Age 50 and over: From the age of 50, you are entitled to a mammogram every 2 years. At this age, you still have to pay for an ultrasound. Of course, checking yourself and regular checkups with your gynecologist are still important from the age of 50.

Many of the prevention measures mentioned here are generally sensible to prevent illness—regardless of your age. Breast cancer in particular affects many women. It is the second most common cancer, and therefore should be kept in mind. The more you know about the illness and the more you are aware of your body, the better you can take preventive action and protect yourself from breast cancer!

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