What helps to prevent breast cancer?

Breastfeeding and having an early pregnancy are both linked with a lower risk of developing breast cancer. In fact, every 12 months of breastfeeding is associated with a 4.3% reduction in breast cancer risk. Physical exercise is also associated with about a 20% reduced risk of breast cancer in both post- and pre-menopausal women. Medications that modulate estrogen activity (e.g. selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors) can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in very high risk patients and those who have had breast cancer. Also in those at very high risk of developing breast cancer: prophylactic mastectomy (removal of the breasts) and oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) reduces breast cancer risk by 90% and 50%, respectively.^[1] Last but not least, regular screening with mammograms has been associated with a 41% lower risk of dying from breast cancer over 10 years and a 25% lower risk of developing advanced breast cancer.^[2]