Lifestyle choices can help keep the most common cancer in women at bay.
Screening tools such as mammography and advances in treatment are boosting breast cancer survival rates. “We’re now able to catch most breast cancers early and treat them in increasingly personalized ways,” says Alexander King, MD, a breast radiologist for RWJBarnabas Health Southern Region.
But most women never develop breast cancer even though it’s the most common cancer among women. These steps can help reduce risks.
1. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight or obese is linked to higher rates of breast cancer, especially if you gain weight after menopause.
2. Keep Active
Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce risks of breast cancer as well as numerous other cancers. Aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week.
3. Avoid Alcohol
The more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk. Limiting intake or abstaining brings risk down.
4. Consult Your Doctor
Choices about birth control, childbirth, breastfeeding and hormone therapy may affect your risk, so ask your physician for guidance on the best options for you.
5. Schedule Regular Screenings
Even women thought to be at low risk can develop breast cancer, so remember to begin annual screening mammography at age 40 and get on a regular screening schedule to detect and evaluate any abnormalities as early as possible.
Convenient Breast Care in Your Community
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center provides expert breast cancer screenings and access to care at four locations.
Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
600 River Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Monmouth Medical Center
300 Second Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Howell
4013 Route 9 North, Suite 2S,
The Aldrich Plaza
Howell, NJ 07731
The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Colts Neck
310 Route 34 South, Second Floor
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
RWJBarnabas Health and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey—the state’s only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center—provide close-to- home access to the most advanced treatment options. Call 844.CANCERNJ to learn more.