The month of October is Breast Cancer awareness month. So let's talk about how this affects us.

We have had Celebrities like Giulliana Rancic who had to have a mastectomy because of breast cancer tissues that were found in her breast and Angelina Jolie had a double mastectomy as a preventive means of breast cancer cause breast cancer is prevalent in her family history. She lost her mum to breast cancer.

I have a friend whose mum died of breast cancer and a neighbour who has had a mastectomy because of breast cancer.

This affects us and here is how we can lower our risk of getting it.


Research has found that adults who increase their physical activity and who are a healthy weight can reduce their risk of breast cancer significantly. The Society is encouraging the public to find out more about cancer prevention and consider making small changes in their everyday lives to reduce their risk of cancer.

Kevin O’Hagan, Health Promotion Manager said: “The chance of getting many of the common cancers, including breast cancer, is strongly influenced by a person’s lifestyle. The good news is that you can significantly reduce your risk of getting breast cancer by making simple, everyday healthy lifestyle choices. We are calling on the public to take the opportunity to protect themselves from breast cancer in any way possible.”

How to reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer:

Be a healthy weight
Being overweight after the menopause can increase your risk of breast cancer. This is because fat cells in your body increase hormones and high levels of certain hormones in turn increase your cancer risk. Try to be a healthy weight by eating a healthy diet and being active.

Be active
Women who are physically active have a lower risk of breast cancer than less active women. Try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on five or more days a week. Moderate physical activity is any movement that makes you feel warm and breathe a little deeper.

Limit alcohol
Drinking alcohol increases your risk of breast cancer. The more you cut down on alcohol, the more you can reduce your risk. Limit your risk by drinking no more than one standard drink a day.

Breastfeed your baby
Breastfeeding helps to protect mothers from breast cancer. It is best to breastfeed your baby for the first six months if possible. The longer a woman breastfeeds her baby, the more she reduces her breast cancer risk.

Don’t smoke
Some recent research suggests that smoking may increase the risk of breast cancer. It is important to note that smoking causes 30 per cent of all cancers. For advice, support and information visit www.quit.ie.

Attend screening
Attend breast cancer screening when called between the ages of 50 and 64 years. Visit www.breastcheck.ie.
- See more at: http://www.cancer.ie/about-us/news/breast-cancer-risk-reduction#sthash.5vWDKmFI.dEMlWKrl.dpuf