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Prevention
Our understanding of how best to prevent and treat breast cancer has come a long way in the past 30 years, and, as a result, far fewer women now die from the disease. Still, there is no sure way to ward it off. Even a prophylactic mastectomy--the removal of a healthy breast as a way for a woman at high risk to reduce her risk--cannot provide an absolute guarantee because mastectomy inevitably leaves some breast tissue behind and so breast cancer can still develop.
But changes to your lifestyle can help reduce your risk. Studies have linked being obese, being physically inactive, taking two or more alcoholic drinks a day, and using combination hormone therapy after menopause with higher risk. Conversely, some studies have reported that having a first child by the early 20s, being physically active, and eating a diet low in fat and high in vegetables and fruits may lower your risk.
Further, recent studies evaluating drugs known as "chemopreventive agents" have shown that treatment with these drugs can reduce the risk of breast cancer by almost one half in high-risk women. The drug currently approved for this is tamoxifen, which blocks the action of the hormone estrogen, among other effects. Taking tamoxifen carries a risk of certain adverse reactions, however, so women should discuss with their healthcare providers whether the drug is appropriate given their own level of risk.
But since many people with no known risk factors develop the disease anyway, all women--even those with the healthiest lifestyles--will want to be vigilant about being appropriately screened to ensure early detection. Mammography, breast examination by a health professional, as well as breast self-exam can together lead to early detection of cancers. The American Cancer Society recommends that women begin annual screening mammograms starting at age 40, or five to 10 years earlier than the age at which the youngest affected first-degree relative was diagnosed. To determine which screening interval is appropriate and when to begin screening, each woman should consult her doctor.
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