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15 Breast Cancer Prevention Tips For Men and Women

Table of Contents Male Breast Cancer PreventionBreast Cancer Prevention Tips for Men and Women1. Get your check up done…
Women posing to create awareness for breast cancer prevention
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Men and women – beware! You are both likely to get breast cancer if you don’t adopt the ways of breast cancer prevention. And that is possible only if you follow certain ways and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Aren’t we seeing pink everywhere this month? And why not because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

I know it’s nearly the end of the month, but it’s never too late to create awareness, isn’t it? Nor should we limit ourselves to spread the word, just based on months and dates. Anytime is a good time to start!

It saddens my heart though when I see many people suffer from breast cancer – more so when they aren’t even aware they have it, or learn about it much later. Do you know of such family or friends?

Some are just diagnosed with it, while others are in the final stages of this deadly disease. Few of them just give up, while others fight it out bravely – just like my Mom did, though she had lung cancer.

However, we mostly tend to forget that breast cancer can be prevented.

If you remember, I’d written a detailed post on the topic – Does a Painful Breast Indicate Breast Cancer, where I’d explained everything about how it affects us, and much more. Do read it!

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the U.S., with one is every eight women developing breast cancer.

You all know that women get breast cancer, but did you know that men too are affected by this dreadful cancer? Did you know that male breast cancer accounts for about 1% of all breast cancers?

One percent might sound small, but if you take it in terms of people involved, it’s a big number!

Nearly 2,200 new cases of male breast cancer are diagnosed each year in the U.S., alone, while approximately 330,000 are diagnosed in women?

Aren’t these stats shocking, and a clear indication that we better wake up and try to prevent breast cancer as much as possible, in our own way?

Breast cancer affects both men and women, so I’m going to write a little about male breast cancer, which is often forgotten, followed by breast cancer prevention tips for both.

“Most breast cancer-related deaths can be prevented through simple and painless preventive measures. A late diagnosis can result in more serious, long-term consequences.” ~ Olympia Snowe

doctor teaching breast cancer prevention tips

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Male Breast Cancer Prevention

The survival rate for both men and women suffering from breast cancer is similar, when their diagnosis is similar.

However, breast cancer in men is often diagnosed at a later stage, which makes it less likely to be cured and more important to be cared about.

According to research, the survival rate for male breast cancer is below 10% that of female breast cancer patients. That’s because women are routinely checked.

More so, when they age and the cancer tends to show up in the mammograms. But with men, they usually walk in when they feel a large lump in their chest or complain of pain.

Generally, men are diagnosed with breast cancer at a more advanced stage as compared to women.

There are no guaranteed ways for preventing breast cancer in men. However, early detection and prompt treatment of breast cancer can help it from spreading.

You need to be aware of how your breasts feel and look. If there are any unusual symptoms like discharge or a lump, you must let your physician know.

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Leading a healthy lifestyle is essential to prevent male breast cancer, besides other health issues.

“There can be life after breast cancer. The prerequisite is early detection.” ~ Ann Jillian

Breast Cancer Prevention Tips for Men and Women

Preventing breast cancer is not easy, but if you follow these tips and suggestions, you might reduce your risks to quite an extent.

1. Get your check up done regularly

If you get yourself screened regularly, you’re more likely to detect breast cancer early, which can help in the prevention of breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society:

• If there is no family history of breast cancer and if you are of average risk, get your yearly mammograms and clinical breast examination done, starting at age 40.

• Women in their 20s and 30s, need to get a clinical breast exam done every 3 years.

• Know how your breast feels normally, so that you can report any changes in appearance or texture, or if there is any bleeding, crusting, and pain to your doctor.

• Those women who are at higher risk might have to get screening done much earlier and more often and also consider getting a screening MRI done.

If there is any kind of breast pain or if you feel there is discomfort or tenderness – you should wear a sports bra during exercise.

Women – ensure that your sports bra fits well, and keeps the breasts motionless. You need to take care to replace your sports bra every 6 months because the material stretches and loses its shape.

2. Watch your weight

If you are obese and overweight, the risk of breast cancer increases.

The foods high in fat make you obese and add to the causes of breast cancer because they increase the amount of estrogen in the blood, which is linked with breast cancer.

If you are a woman, you need to be all the more careful if obesity occurs later in life, especially after menopause.

Before menopause, the ovaries produce most of the estrogen in women; after menopause, when the ovaries stop producing the hormone, it’s the fat tissues that produce the hormone. Thus, the more the fat in a woman’s body, the more the estrogen.

Try to maintain a body-mass index under 25.

3. Eat the right fats

Maintain a balance of carbohydrate, fats, and protein in your diet. You need to limit your fat intake by 20 percent of your overall caloric intake.

Concentrate on omega-3 fats, which are found in abundance in oily fish like tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel etc. Flax seeds are the best source of omega-3 for vegetarians.

Flax seeds are high in fiber and in lignans, a phytoestrogen that help in breast cancer prevention. Eating freshly ground flax seeds is better than taking it in the form of a capsule.

You need to know about the good fats and bad fats. Reduce saturated and trans fat, or the “bad fats”. These omega-6 fats are found in oils like sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, and corn.

Instead, eat more of the “good fats”, or the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, found in oils like canola, olive, nuts, seeds, and avocados as they have anticancer properties.

woman giving tip to eat healthy fruit and vegetables to prevent breast cancer

4. Concentrate on eating the right kind of food

Minimize all whites in your diet!

Try to lessen white flour, white rice, white potatoes, sugar and products containing them because such foods bring about hormonal changes that promote cellular growth in breast tissue.

Concentrate on a diet that is healthy and full of fruits and vegetables. At least five portions or at least 2 ½ cups a day is usually recommended.

Include fibers like whole meal bread, and cereals like muesli and oats in your diet. Opt for beans and legumes because they are high in fiber.

Studies indicate that a diet high in plant-based foods reduces the risk of breast cancer, especially estrogen receptor negative cancer.

Some good tips to take care of your diet, which help in the prevention of breast cancer, are –

Include soy in your diet as they have the ability to partly block estrogen receptors in the breast. Soy products like tempeh, tofu, soy milk, miso, soy roasted nuts help to reduce breast cancer risk.

Research indicates that consuming soy foods in childhood and adolescences helps in preventing breast cancer. However, soy foods should be avoided after the diagnosis of breast cancer because of its estrogen-like effect.

Limit your intake of processed and red meat. Instead, choose chicken, fish, or beans. If you reduce the consumption of dairy, meat, and gluten to one serving daily, it helps to improve your hormone metabolism.

Eat more of cruciferous vegetables because they help in breast cancer prevention. These include cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy and others, which are all rich in anti-cancer compounds.

It’s best to eat cruciferous vegetables raw or slightly cooked because some of the chemicals they produce that might help in the prevention of breast cancer are destroyed by heat.

Other vegetables like carrots and tomatoes are good. Even chard, spinach, and asparagus are breast cancer prevention foods because of their high percentage of folate and antioxidant carotenoids.

Try eating seaweeds like nori and kelp. Japanese women show a lower breast cancer risk, perhaps because of their high consumption of kelp. You could try chlorella and spirulina in a glass of juice daily. Chlorella and kelp have shown anti-carcinogenic effects.

Onions that are rich in quercetin – reduces estrogen receptor activity in breast tumors. Even garlic, mushroom, and green tea help to prevent breast cancer.

Have more of berries. Blueberries help to prevent cancer, while strawberries and raspberries have antioxidant properties and reduce the breast cancer cell growth in vitro.

Herbs and spices are also known for anticancer properties, and are often compared to cancer-fighting drugs, thus include them in your diet.

Beware of sweets and sodas! Although artificial sweeteners don’t increase breast cancer risk, but drinking diet sodas that depend on artificial sweeteners is linked with weight gain, which raises your chances of developing breast cancer.

5. Regularly exercises and be physically active

Many studies suggest that regular exercises helps breast cancer prevention. It’s recommended to opt for 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic exercise, and strength training at least twice a week.

Aim for 30 minutes or more of moderate aerobic activity like brisk walking, five or more days a week. Studies found that women who walked briskly for 1 ¼ to 2 ½ hours a week had 18% less risk of breast cancer, as compared to those who were inactive.

For men, cardio thrice a week and strength training on the other days is the best combination.

Remember to be consistent. This surely is a reminder for me too 🙂 Do you walk or exercise regularly?

Sometimes it becomes challenging to exercise, especially if you are going through breast cancer treatment. At such times, listen to your body, and do what you can do, or exercise when your body allows it.

men women exercising in gym to avoid breast cancer

6. Quit smoking

Research indicates a link between breast cancer and smoking, especially in premenopausal women. Additionally, smoking is injurious to your overall health, so why smoke!

7. Breastfeed

Breastfeeding may play a role in preventing breast cancer. Women who breastfeed their babies for at least a year, reduce their risk of breast cancer later. Thus, the longer you breast-feed, the better it is.

8. Avoid exposure to environmental pollution and radiation

Exposure to certain medical-imaging methods like using high dose of radiation or computerized tomography might increase your risk of getting breast cancer. Thus, go in for such tests only when necessary.

Avoid estrogen-like compounds that are found in the environmental pollutants like industrial chemicals and pesticides. Alternatively, buy organic produce, or else wash all non-organic produce before consumption.

9. Avoid hormone replacement therapy

Breast cancer risk increases if you continue combination hormone therapy for over three to five years. Consult your doctor for other options if you’re taking hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms.

Remember, your breast cancer risk increase with menopausal hormone therapy. If you must take them, avoid the ones with progesterone, and limit their usage for less than three years.

Even the hormonal creams and gels, or bioidentical hormones aren’t safe as compared to the prescribed hormones, and should be avoided if possible.

Recent studies indicate that the drug exemestane helps reduces the risk of breast cancer by nearly 65 percent in high-risk postmenopausal women. Consult your doctor, whether this would benefit you.

According to the National Institutes of Health, if you are taking HT (hormone therapy), then you and your doctor should reevaluate the decision every 6 months.

10. Choose an estrogen-blocking drug

If you have a family history of breast cancer, or if you are above 60 years, you should talk to your doctor about estrogen-blocking drugs like raloxifene and tamoxifen, and know more about their pros and cons.

11. Limit your alcohol intake

Remember, you are more at risk of developing breast cancer, if you drink more alcohol.

For women – if you do choose to drink alcohol like liquor, wine, or beer, then limit your intake to not more than one drink daily.

For men – if you must, then drink alcohol only in moderation. You should limit your alcohol consumption to 1-2 drinks a day.

Those drinking alcohol should try to consume enough folic acid through multivitamins, or through foods like leafy green vegetables, fortified breakfast cereals, oranges, and orange juice.

12. Sleep well

You all need sleep, but women need consistent sleep cycles, at least five nights every week.

Research indicated that shift workers have higher rates of breast cancer compared to their peers. Thus, you need to maintain a consistent sleep cycle for proper hormonal balance.

13. De-Stress and enjoy life

It’s a well known fact that stress can lead to lots of health problems. Chronic or extreme stress might activate cancer.

Many women are diagnosed with cancer after a loss or divorce. It’s tough to lead a stress free life, but if you learn how to manage your stress, you can reduce your chances of getting many other ailments beside breast cancer.

According to a survey, women who reported of severe stress in the previous few years were 50% more likely to have breast cancer.

You need to find ways to reduce stress by following a daily stress reduction plan. Even if you do it for 15 minutes, it helps. Try out meditation, yoga, prayers, exercise, tai chi, and massage – these help!

14. Check your calcium and vitamin intake

Ensure you get adequate vitamin D and calcium daily. For women aged 51 to 70, it means 600 IU of vitamin D, and 1,200 mg of calcium, while for men it’s 600 IU of vitamin and 1,000 mg of calcium.

15. Learn to relax

Lastly, common for both men and women, and most importantly – learn to relax!

You need to self-nurture yourself and maintain a positive mental outlook. Get adequate sleep, 7-8 hours per night, because the mind-body association with breast cancer cannot be ignored.

By making healthy lifestyle choices you could help lower your breast cancer risk, besides reducing the risk for diabetes, heart diseases, and others.

Here is a wonderful video telling us about some breast cancer prevention tips that would surely help you.

Dr. Anne McTiernan ~ 10 Tips for Breast Cancer Prevention ~ YouTube Vdieo

Remember, that exercising, eating right, maintaining a healthy weight, and being careful about screening can help you in preventing breast cancer, and also its recurrence.

“Breast cancer changes you, and the change can be beautiful.” ~ Jane Cook (Breast cancer survivor)

Now that you know that prevention of breast cancer IS possible – what are you waiting for?

Go ahead and change your life, and start leading a healthier lifestyle if you aren’t already 🙂

Over to you –

Are you a breast cancer survivor or know of anyone who has/had breast cancer? Do you think these breast cancer prevention tips would help to bring about a change? What additional ways of preventing breast cancer would you suggest? Share in the comments.

Photo Credit: 123RFPhotos, FreeDigitalPhotos

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Disclaimer: We're not offering any medical advice here. These ideas are for educational and entertainment purposes only. Always seek a professional medical opinion from a physician of your choosing before making any medical decision. The information provided here is not intended to be a substitute to the advice given by your physician or another healthcare professional.

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  1. This post reminded me that I should go for my yearly exam as it is already past the due date. Thanks for the detailed post.

  2. Respected Harleena Singh,
    Truly speaking, In this world so many persons are suffering from cancer. It is very dangerous for health. If we will not eat well and healthy food in it, then we can’t live more. Lots of medicines are very useful in it.
    But I am very happy to read these natural tips for breast cancer. Really, you are a wonderful personality. Because you are helping the others.

    All the best and thanks for sharing
    Regards
    Monu Kumar

  3. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in New York State. Each year in New York, over 14,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and almost 2,700 women die from the disease. It is estimated that one in eight women will develop breast cancer during her life.
    Men also get breast cancer, but it is very rare. About 125 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in New York State.

  4. Periodic breast self-exams can help detect breast cancer early, we always try to skip our regular screenings at regular intervals. Thank you for sharing this informational article.

  5. Hello ma’am,

    It’s been long I visited your blog. So, firstly how are you? Hope you are doing well. 🙂

    Some days back me and my mom were discussing about the lunch prevailing breast cancer these days among women and I was literally into a serious discussion of what to do for preventing the same. Your post has helped me a lot to remove some of my misconceptions regarding the breast cancer. But I want to ask you that this cancer is curable, right? I mean seeing the current technological advancements in the medical field, this is possible to cure, right?

    Waiting for your reply.
    Regards

  6. I really need to work on #2. I went through early menopause and genetically, I carry my weight in my middle/stomach. 🙁 I’ve put on a few pounds recently, and I know I need to watch it, especially with the holidays upon us. Thanks for these great tips, Harleena!

  7. Great tips Harleena, and something everyone needs to take note of. My family is BRCA2 positive, and breast cancer has been an issue for years. I personally am not BRCA2 positive, but that still doesn’t mean I don’t need to pay attention to the possibility.

  8. I’m so glad you decided to share this post with us. There is so much helpful information we can pass on to our loved ones and friends.

    Thank you for taking time to put all this together. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend my dear friend!

  9. Harleena, this is such a wonderful round-up of all the factors influencing breast cancer! I’m a big fan of broccoli and brussels sprouts in the cruciferous family. I keep frozen packages of them on hand all the time. I add them to meals or have them as a late night snack. As a cancer survivor, I’m glad that they are so tasty!

  10. Hi Harleena,

    I’m so happy you included how important breast cancer awareness is for men as well. So often it has been deemed a ‘women-only’ disease when more and more men are becoming victims too. Thanks so much for spreading the word and honoring breast cancer awareness month.

    Nicole

  11. Breast cancer has effect the women in my family so I am very diligent with my own personal self exam in between doctor’s visits. I never knew that men also get breast cancer! You learn something new every day and now i’m aware! Thanks!

    #ImEveryWoman

  12. Man I hate breast cancer Harleena. My cousin was diagnosed with it about 11 years ago now but was treated and doing well.

    My Mom was diagnosed about 23 years ago and had a mastectomy. She missed her yearly exam because she was busy with my sister getting married but had she kept that exam I think they would have caught it much earlier. Either way she’s fine but that was very traumatic for her.

    My Mom eats whatever she wants, always has and still does, but she eats like a bird. She also hardly ever got enough rest and constantly stressed out about my Dad’s health. I can totally see why she may have gotten this.

    I’m not great with the eating the right foods either but of the most part I do everything else really well. I also do not stress out about things and have a very positive attitude so if anyone in the family ends up with this it’s not going to be me. 😉

    Thanks for sharing this because I know a lot of people really aren’t familiar with how you can prevent it, or hopefully prevent it, or that men get it too. Jut do the best you can and keep a positive attitude.

    Have a wonderful end to your week and thanks again for bringing this to our attention.

    ~Adrienne

  13. Hi Harleena,
    You’ve done a tremendous job as you always do and this time, it’s cancer!
    Like Pramod said in his comment, whether its breast cancer or any other form of cancer, it is a dreaded disease (which is feared the most).My dad had prostate cancer a few years ago and we got him treated in Chennai. He is about 80 year old now going strong and we have eliminated cancer from his life completely, thanks to the technology available today!
    However, another friend’s dad (as close as family) died early this year of lung cancer. Well, we detected his cancer late and then his doctor in Delhi did good job in the beginning but became ignorant towards the end that that messed up the whole thing. He couldn’t survive.

    So, in light of my experience with cancer, we all need to not only practice healthy living habits, but also not ignore a full yearly exam so we can detect the beast early on if it ever shows up.
    Thank you for sharing these tips which will help many.
    Regards,
    Kumar

  14. Wow! such awesome tips for preventing breast cancer, hardly did I know nor would have believed that men too can catch breast cancer if I haven’t read this post today.

    We need live healthy as they said “health is wealth” and your tips about eating healthy fruits sure makes that very much possible.

    I love every other tips you pointed out and would like to say that I am really impressed with the passion and love you approach your advice with.

    This is definitely another awesome read for the week, do have a splendid day.

  15. Hello Harleena,

    My aunt recently died of breast cancer, so I can relate on a personal note.

    Of all the preventive measures there is for this really ugly disease, none beats routine checkup. My aunt died because the discovery came very late. And I’m pretty sure many die everyday for the exact reason that killed her!

    Thanks a million for the awareness and a great week ahead!

    – Terungwa

  16. Hi, Harleena Mam,
    Indeed very informative and it first time it come to know me that October is Beast Cancer Awareness Week. 🙂

    Breast cancer is one of the killer diseases which are almost incurable if we are unable to detect in its first stage. It has taken many lives just due to unawareness. Sad but true. 🙁
    Awareness about this fatal disease can help us a lot in preventing breast cancer.

    Beside this, we can take some safety measure by changing bit life styles of ours. Daily exercise, walking, quit alcohol and smoking, taking right diet etc. should come in life so it makes life beautiful.
    This also brings happiness, and, happiness brings tension free life, means, diereses-less life.

    Your post will really bring lots of awareness and it finally help in the prevention of the breast cancer.

    Thank you very much for a wonderful post. 🙂
    Have a great week ahead. 🙂

  17. Thanks for spreading the word Harleena. My mother had breast cancer.

    The doctor caught it when she wanted to take something for her hot flashes. He told her that she needed a mammogram first. She went in for that and that is when they found it in the early stages. Yes, she did survive it and lived to be 87.

    I do not want to even think what would have happened if her doctor and not done what he did when it came to the mammogram.
    You are helping many people Harleena.
    Hugs to you and your way with words and your wisdom.
    Dbbie

  18. Hello Harleena

    Frankly i wasn’t serious about cancer, i just started reading this post as i found its title funny to me. thinking deeply how a man can suffer from breast cancer. although it start from a fun in mind but yeah cancer is really a life taking disease and killing million of peoples world wide.

    i really appreciate your the way you are spreading awareness for preventing cancer. i have also seen my uncle suffering from cancer in his last days. i don’t have the word to express the feeling/emotions when you know someone is going to die in few days and you can’t do anything.

  19. Hi Harleena!

    Breast Cancer Awareness is very near and dear to my heart. Remember all the scares I’ve had over the past year or so? It could have been Cancer for me as well. Bringing awareness to the world is of the utmost importance. I know too many women over 40 who don’t get mammograms, don’t do self exams, and really don’t care. I just don’t understand that. I try to help them and tell them why it is so importance but I get shrugged off. So sad.

    This is an awesome post and I’m gladly passing it along.

  20. Hi Harleena,

    Thanks very much for this very informative post and video – and I’m very sorry about your Mum who was so unfortunate as to suffer lung cancer – my husband had a close friend who died of that disease in his 50s, when he still had a young family – very tragic.

    I think it’s great you’ve raised awareness about men being at risk, too – I knew about that, but I’m sure a lot of people think it’s a disease that only affects women.

    I have two ex-colleagues who’ve both had treatment for breast cancer – one of them had a terrible time going through chemo-therapy, so I know that the treatment for this condition is no joke. I’m fortunate never to have suffered it myself yet, and I have no family history of it as far as I’m aware, but I’m not complacent and get screened regularly.

    I think I follow most of the lifestyle tips mentioned in your post and video – I eat a healthy diet and keep pretty fit – but you’ve reminded me I need to get myself a new sports bra!

    I notice the tips include something about getting plenty of sleep – hope you’re heeding your own advice there, Harleena (sorry, just couldn’t resist that!)

    Thanks so much for another excellent post,full of useful information and advice 🙂

  21. A very well written article on cancer. I got three cases of cancer in my family and none survived. Though i got cyst problem, i always go for a check up at few months interval. It’s always best to keep your body healthy than to make it a home of diseases.

    1. Welcome to the blog Pooja!

      Glad you liked the post. Sorry to hear about the cases in your family, which makes you a target too. Yes indeed, getting yearly checkups is vital, especially in your case. Oh yes…concentrating on a healthy diet and lifestyle is the key to fight any diseases I feel.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. 🙂

  22. Very interesting facts on breast cancer. I was not aware that men can also get breast cancer. In some countries breast cancer is screened but in India, everything is left to god so many women are dying of this disease simply because they don’t know much about. Thanks for the ways for preventing breast cancer, you just cannot know too much about it.
    Thank you Harleena for the awareness.

    1. Hi Shalu,

      Nice to know that you liked the post 🙂

      Oh yes…men also get breast cancer, though they get to know about it when it’s rather late in most of the cases, just as I’d mentioned in the post – because they get into action only when there’s any kind of pain or lump, and it’s in the final stages if it’s not been diagnosed earlier.

      Very true! Awareness and educating the masses is what helps in such cases, though in the metros now people do go in for screening, but a majority of the people still don’t.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your views with us 🙂

  23. HI Harleena Mam.

    NICE article On Breast Cancer. This is a big knowledge and today I got this from you.

    I am feeling very happy to be leaving my first comment on this great Blog!

    1. Welcome to the blog Siddharth – good to have you over 🙂

      Glad you liked the post. Yes indeed – knowledge is power, and if we can gather any kind of knowledge from anywhere, anytime, we should.

      Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you keep visiting the blog hereafter 🙂

  24. Hello Harleena!

    This was certainly an informative post. I’ve had family members survive breast cancer as well as succumb to it so it’s good for me to educate myself so that I can educate my children.

    I proactively do self examinations but I’m always nervous right before I do in fear that I’ll feel something.

    I’m so glad you decided to share this information with your readers. I’m definitely sharing this in an effort to continue to spread awareness that it not only affects women but men too and if detected early can be curable.

    Hope you had a great Tuesday! Happy Wednesday my dear friend.

    1. Hi Corina,

      Nice to know that you liked the post and could relate to it 🙂

      Absolutely! Most of us do have family and friend’s who are either suffering from this dreaded disease, or have passed away because of it. We do need to learn all we can about it and create more awareness, within our own family and with others too, especially men, who rarely know they too can get it.

      Lol…you aren’t the only one to feel that! I feel that I am doing it all wrong half the time 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing this further with everyone. I think passing it along would help others in educating themselves and others too. Have a nice weekend, dear friend 🙂

  25. Hi Harleena,

    Breast cancer certainly became the disease of the 20th century. While I do not personally trust either the machines or the doctors who test for breast cancer, I do believe in healthy eating and healthy habits to prevent it.

    Thanks for sharing, Harleena.

    1. Hi Sylviane,

      It sure has, and it seems to be getting bad to worse by the day. I guess we need to trust someone at the end of the day, especially if there are symptoms or when we see some signs, isn’t it?

      But you are right in saying that it’s the healthy diet and lifestyle changes that can make a major difference to our lives, if we take care of it.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your views 🙂

  26. Hello Harleena,

    If you hadn’t set up this post today, i wouldn’t have known that male can also get breast cancer. Wow!!! That’s indeed amazing…
    The truth is, i haven’t had of anybody in my area that has breast cancer, i only read it and watch programs about breast cancer on tv. But i am sure that the male instances is not has large as the females, right?

    Thanks for the heads up and do have a wonderful week start…

    1. Hi Babanature,

      I can well understand that fact, and you aren’t the only one dear friend because many men are unaware that they too can get breast cancer. I guess those who have some close one or a friend suffering from cancer would perhaps know that men too can get breast cancer.

      Not to mention that I was unaware about it myself till about a few years back too and it was only during one of my research I had to do for a magazine post that I learnt of it. Yes indeed, the male breast cancer cases are very rare, though when cancer does strike men – it is worse than women because it’s usually discovered in the final stage as they never come to know they have cancer till they feel or see a lump, as mentioned in the post. I guess getting yourself checked yearly is the best prevention tip for men too.

      Thanks for stopping by, and have a nice weekend 🙂

  27. Hi Harleena….What an informative post! and all aspects covered! Congrats.

    I think awareness is most crucial…..two of my friends survived breast cancer because they paid heed to the warnings of regular check ups and their cancer could be detected at the first stage. However they had to undergo a lot of pain and trauma. The after effects are most horrific and they are still dealing with them.

    I hope your article reaches a lot of people! I also hope scientific research hits a big breakthrough to eradicate such monstrous diseases from the face of this earth.

    1. Hi Balroop,

      Glad you liked the post 🙂

      Yes indeed, it’s the awareness that most crucial so that those who aren’t aware know of this dreaded disease and can take timely action before it gets too late. Just like your friend’s, I had my aunt too who got her check up done in time and was able to save her life, just in time.

      I think getting your routine checks up and the mammograms are SO essential, provided people are ready to get them done, isn’t it? Yes, the trauma cancer patients go through is horrible. I’ve seen my own Mom go through it, but she was a very brave woman, and never let us know of her pain.

      Yes, I do hope this post reaches the masses as it was written with the intention to create awareness about breast cancer, something that even men can get.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your views with us 🙂

  28. Hi Harleena,

    I trust you are healthy and happy.

    These are all excellent tips! One thing you may wish to add to your list is something I covered recently in my post “Cancer Alert: Are Your Beliefs Killing You?” which are nocebos (negative words spoken and internalized as true.)

    It is rare to find someone whose life has not been affected by cancer.

    All the best!
    Bill

    1. Hi William,

      Thanks for asking, I’m perfectly fit and fine. I hope you too are enjoying your good health and time!

      It’s great that you too had a cancer awareness post and that’s a pretty important tip you’ve mentioned. Our beliefs are so important and they can make a great difference to our life. I believe in the quote by Buddha – What you think, you become. The mind is really everything!

      I’ll surely be reading your post and yes its so sad but very true that almost in every family you do have someone affected by cancer, and I hope the increased awareness does make a difference.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your wonderful thoughts and tips. I really appreciate it. Have a great rest of the week! 🙂

  29. Hello Harleena Singh,

    Cancer is certainly a fearful disease. Breast cancer is mainly occur to female. as you said – prevention is better than cure. So if it is found in early stage, it is a curable disease. But lots of women due to shyness don’t go to doctor. I think the govt. need to publicity more about this disease & tell what is the precaution to protect from this.

    Anyway you shared a brief article on Breast cancer. It will be a resourceful article. Everyone need to read it.

    May all lead a happy life 🙂

    1. Hi Ahsan,

      Oh, yes, mostly women are susceptible to breast cancer, but men too are taken by surprise, so don’t count them out!

      Nothing better than prevention, especially in case of dreadful cancer. You’re right that in our part of the world the women are shy to get themselves checked, and as a matter of fact, most of them are not even aware of breast cancer. Yes, the onus of responsibility is on the government to spread awareness and provide the testing facilities at least.

      Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and views. Have a great week ahead! 🙂

  30. On my dad’s side, my grandma and aunts have had breast cancer. It’s something that I occasionally think about. I’m not 100% perfect, but I try to eat the right foods and avoid toxins in my household supplies. But, knowing your family history is key!

    My biggest issue that I need to tackle from your list is sleep. I feel like I get enough sleep once in a while, but it’s never consistent and I have a hard time actually falling asleep when I do go to bed. Rest and sleep have the ability to reset your body and relax it. I need to get into the habit of having a sleep routine.

    Thanks for the tips! It serves as a necessary reminder.

    1. Hi Jennifer,

      You’re right that you need to be more careful if you’ve a family history of cancer. I too do that and I avoid fast food and soft drinks, and I keep myself on a strict vegetarian diet.

      Again, I too am sleep deprived most of the times. Seems like our stories are quite similar. 🙂 I know there are people who’re dead as a log as soon as they hit the bed! But I need my time to get shrouded by sleep.

      Rest and sleep are so important aspects of a healthy lifestyle, and many of us try to ignore it, resulting in dis-balance and disturbances in our body and mind.

      I do hope you get time to catch up with your pending sleep and feel better. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and views. Have a healthy week ahead! 🙂

  31. Hello Queen Harleena, I’m glad to be back here. 🙂

    You have shared an inventive article with us today. Very detailed post!

    I appreciate God that I don’t do most of the things that are here, so I don’t have to worry about cancer, right?

    But I will surely share this post with my friends and I’m sure some of them would be able to relate with it.

    Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

    Take care of you,
    Sam

    1. Hi Sam,

      Welcome back to my blog!

      I don’t at all deserve the title you’ve used, but I humbly thank you for the respect.

      I had been for long wanting to write this post on breast cancer, and I’m glad I could do it before the end of this month. Basically its all about leading a healthy lifestyle.

      Well, just as mentioned in the previous comment, even following a healthy lifestyle does not guaranty that you won’t get cancer. However, it does help minimize the chances of acquiring and inviting cancer.

      Awareness is a key aspect of prevention, and I appreciate that you’re sharing this post with your friends.

      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and views. Have a great week ahead! 🙂

  32. Nice post Harleena !

    Whether its breast cancer or any other form of cancer,cancer is a dreaded disease. My grandfather passed away from last stage cancer 4-5 months ago. He passed away within 2-3 weeks of detection. If his cancerous condition was detected earlier, he could have survived many more years. He was a fit and a healthy man who never smoked nor he consumed alcohol. Doctor had stated the reason for his condition as a wound that was not treated well..when he met an accident 4-5 years ago. So, one more prevention tip that i’d like to add is that wounds should never be ignored. Thanks for sharing the information.

    -Pramod

    1. Hi Pramod,

      I’m sorry about your grandfather. My mother’s cancer too was detected in the last stages, and that leaves so little scope for survival. It’s good to detect cancer in the early stages, or best to take preventive measures and always keep cancer at bay.

      Yes, this sure is an important preventive tip that one should never ignore – even a slightest wound can make deepest impact, so we should not be complacent and attend to the injuries immediately and make sure we follow the correct remedial procedures and we’re completely healed.

      My mother too never smoked or consumed alcohol, yet she had the cancer. So, you need to try to follow a complete healthy lifestyle, which at least is in our hands. You can’t help much if there are genetic or hereditary problems.

      Thanks for sharing your personal life experiences and thoughts, I appreciate it. Have a healthy week ahead. 🙂

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