Breast cancer is as prevalent in India irrespective of age. One must wonder why breast cancer is common among young women in their late 20s and 30s, the major reason being lifestyle. Sedentary lifestyle with least movement along with the consumption of junk food and unhealthy eating habits stores a number of health issues in your body.
As per a study conducted at an Indian hospital, 25% women with breast cancer were 39 and younger, the minimum age being 23 years.
To understand the causes and preventive measures that women should start taking at an early age, OnlyMyHealth team interacted with Dr Karishma Kirti, Consultant Breast Specialist and Oncoplastic Surgeon, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai.
Dr Kirti said, “There is no one specific cause of breast cancer. The risk factors are many and the exact mechanism of breast carcinogenesis is not completely understood. While some risk factors such as genetics and sex cannot be altered, many others are within our control through lifestyle changes and proactive measures.” Here are some practices young women should start early to prevent breast cancer.
Physical Activity
Talking about how weight gain can contribute to the development of cancer, Dr Kirti said, “Obesity plays a big role in the development of breast cancer, from increasing oestrogen levels to putting the body in a chronically inflammatory state. Excess weight, particularly after menopause, is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.” One of the major reasons for obesity is a sedentary lifestyle. To correct this, Dr Kirti said, “If there is one thing that I would say is most important for decreasing an individual’s risk of developing the disease, it is physical exercise.”
Adding further, she said, “Engaging in regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling can change your life. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week. This may sound like a lot but it is only 5 days of the week of 30 minutes for moderate or 15 minutes for vigorous intensity training.”
Eat Healthy
Another factor contributing to obesity is unhealthy eating habits. Consuming foods like sugary beverages, processed food, fried foods, high sodium foods and so on can cause obesity leading to the development of cancer as mentioned above. Dr Kirti said, “Eat healthy! Focus on consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit consumption of processed foods, red meat, and sugary beverages.”
Although related, physical activity, normal weight range, eating healthy are all independent risk reducers of breast cancer.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
As per Dr Kirti, consuming alcohol has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. “Limiting alcohol intake or avoiding it altogether can help reduce this risk,” Dr Kirti said. According to a study, alcohol can increase the levels of oestrogen in blood and higher oestrogen levels increase the risk of breast cancer.
Make Informed Choices
Dr Kirti emphasised on seeing a doctor before becoming sexually active. “Before becoming sexually active, it is important to meet a doctor or a gynaecologist to understand conception, contraception and protection. Long term use of hormonal contraception can cause an increased chance of breast cancer and should be taken under guidance,” she said. Apart from that, she advised that it is important to visit your gynaecologist annually to get a routine check-up done and plan towards your sexual and reproductive health.
Also read: Breast Cancer Becoming A More Common Diagnosis In Young Women: This Can Be The Reason
Avoid Late Pregnancies
One of the leading causes of cancer is planning your baby after your 30s. Explaining the reason for having babies before turning 30, Dr Kirti said, “Having babies before 30 years of age and breastfeeding them for a year protects from breast cancer. However, this is not always feasible but good to know and can be adhered to if possible.” As per National Institute of Health, “Women who have their first full-term pregnancy at an early age have a decreased risk of developing breast cancer later in life.” The doctor as well as the study suggested that having multiple births can reduce the risk of breast cancer to a larger extent.
Knowing Family History
Prevention is not always possible and sometimes, women with zero known risk factors can also develop breast cancer. The reason can be genetics and family history. It is important to know your family history and your individual risk factors and accordingly consult an oncologist for early diagnosis. The next best thing to avoid the risk of cancer is early diagnosis. Dr Kirti said, “Learn the symptoms of the disease and start examining yourself as early as 20 years. Learn and teach self breast examination to your girl friends and female relatives. Clinical examination and screening depend on each persons’ risk but generally should start by 30 years.”