The Maine Women's Journal - Fall 2007

Make Lifestyle Changes to Ward Off Breast Cancer

Marta Quijano, M.D.

You are at risk for breast cancer by virtue of the fact that you are a woman. Gender plays a big role in your likelihood of contracting many diseases. You might be surprised to hear that a small number of men actually get breast cancer. We all know it is a disease that, by and large, affects women.

It’s certainly not a forgone conclusion that you’ll get breast cancer. Most women do not! The good news is that you can be proactive and fight against it. You can’t reduce your risk completely…remember, you’re a woman and have no control over genetics and family history.  But, making lifestyle changes can have a big impact, not just on breast cancer, but on your overall health as well. My advice is to adopt an active, healthy lifestyle. Exercising, not smoking and maintaining a low-fat diet will reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.

There are many studies out there that link physical activity with reduced breast cancer rates. Recent findings from the California Teachers Study show that consistent exercise habits play an important role in the long-term risk for breast cancer. Five hours of exercise a week, such as aerobics or jogging, can have tremendous benefits. Even simply walking several times a week can help reduce your risk.

If you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke, good. Make sure you don’t start! There is mounting evidence that smoking increases the risk of breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women who have been long-term smokers. An international team of researchers this summer said that women who start smoking before becoming pregnant have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. It can also increase your chances of developing other types of cancer.

Consuming alcohol can also increase your risk. Studies have shown that even a half a glass of wine a day may increase the odds of developing breast cancer, according to cancer specialists at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Include smoking in the mix and the odds increase further.

Maintaining a low-fat diet can have a positive impact on your overall well-being and on reducing your breast cancer risk. The National Cancer Institute completed a long-term study this spring of more than 180,000 women.  It reported that those who consumed 40% of their calories from fat had a 15% higher risk of breast cancer than those who consumed 20% of their calories from fat. The bottom line: a low-fat diet, which will have a positive effect on your general health, will also help you to fight breast cancer.

I hope you’ll find these tidbits helpful in your personal fight against breast cancer. Make sure to talk about your breast health with your primary physician. If you or your physician feels a consultation is needed, please contact Breast Care Specialists of Maine at Mercy Hospital at 879-3088.

Dr. Quijano is a breast surgeon with Breast Care Specialists of Maine at Mercy Hospital. She comes to Mercy from Rose City Breast Care in Gresham, Oregon, where she was a breast surgeon. She completed her breast oncology fellowship at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. She completed her surgical residency at PinnacleHealth System’s Harrisburg Hospital. Dr. Quijano was the chief resident from July of 2003 to June of 2004 and also held residencies at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. and at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine.  Dr. Quijano received her M.D. from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. She also holds a B.S. in biology from the University of Puerto Rico. She resides in Portland.

 

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