Getting a Jump Start on Breast Cancer Prevention

With high school students focused on making the varsity squad, getting into their dream college, and which TikTok video just went viral; they are losing sight that their lifestyle choices can have a dramatic lifelong impact on their breast health. Research reveals that the mammary glandMilk producing structure found in women. in young men and women undergoes significant structural changes during pubertyThe period of becoming first capable of reproducing sexually marked by maturing of the genital organs, development of secondary sex characteristics, and in humans the first occurrence of menstruation in the female.. As a result, chemical and environmental exposures during the teen years can heavily influence breast tissue.¹

With one in eight women being diagnosed with breast cancer and male breast cancer on the rise, it’s imperative to highlight prevention techniques in high school.² These are our top tips to lower cancer risk:

Listen to Your Mother and Eat Your Veggies– A balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, poultry, fish, and low-fat dairy products has shown to decrease the risk of cancer.³ High intake of fiber during adolescent years has shown to reduce the risk for breast cancer before menopauseThe end of a woman’s menstrual cycles, defined as 12 consecutive months of no menstrual periods. by 24%.⁴ It is best to avoid a diet that consists of highly refined sugars, red meat and processed meats, highly processed grains, and high-fat dairy products as they are all associated with increased risk of cancer.^5,6,7

Move More– Maintaining an active lifestyle allows you to achieve a leaner body, enhances your mood, improves sleep, and boosts your immune system. Exercising can also lower body fat percentage which helps lower estrogenA female sex hormone that is primarily produced by the ovaries. Its primary function is to regulate the menstrual cycle and assist in the production of secondary sex characteristics such as breasts. It may even play a role in the production of cancer cells in the breast tissue. levels resulting in decreased breast cancer risk.^8,9 A 2016 study showed that young women who exercised at least four hours a week were able to reduce their risk of breast cancer by up to 60%.¹⁰

Rethink the Drink– Alcohol affects the way estrogen is metabolized. Research has shown that having one drink per day increases the risk for breast cancer by nearly 10% in women and 16% in men.^11,12 In a Danish study, it was seen that women who regularly binge drink, which is considered four or more drinks in one sitting, can increase the risk for breast cancer by 55% compared to non-drinkers.¹³

Kick the Habit– Smoking and vaping exposes the body to cancer-causing chemicals and nicotine which can accelerate tumorA mass of cells that can be benign or malignant. growth.  Studies indicate that individuals who smoked during their teen years significantly increase their risk for breast cancer compared to non-smokers.¹⁴ Many of those same chemicals are found in vape products lending to a similar long-term risk.^15,16

Get to Know Yourself– Early detection of breast cancer is the key to survival.  Every year in the United States, more than 12,000 women in their 20s and 30s are diagnosed with breast cancer.² It is important to know how your chest tissue looks and feels, so that when a change occurs it can be easily detected.   Share the Maurer Foundation’s breast self-exam instructions– you might just save a life!

Originally published in Physical & Health Education America e-newsletter 9/21/21