My Breakthrough
Should I follow a healthy lifestyle?
Even though more scientific research is needed before we can be sure about the links between diet, exercise and breast cancer, everyone is encouraged to follow a healthy lifestyle by:
- Eating a balanced, healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods and is limited in red meat and animal fat.
- Limiting alcohol consumption.
- Exercising regularly.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
Following a healthy lifestyle will help to maintain general good health, a healthy body weight and reduce the risk of many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and other cancers. Providing that you eat sensibly most of the time there is no need to worry about the occasional indulgence.
Even though smoking does not seem to be linked to breast cancer risk, it increases the risk of many other diseases, so everyone is strongly advised not to smoke.
For further information on living a healthy lifestyle see the ‘Live Well’ section of NHS Choices.
Weighing up the benefits and costs of making a change
The benefits of making lifestyle changes are the helpful effects that happen as a result of these changes, such as potentially lowering your risk of breast cancer or other diseases.The costs of making changes are the chances that something unwanted or unexpected could happen to you because of the differences you have made.
The decision about whether to make any changes can be difficult. The best choice for you depends on your personal situation. Every choice involves thinking through the helpful effects as well as the possible unwanted effects. So, if you are considering making lifestyle changes you should think about the costs and benefits on all aspects of your health and quality of life and not just on your breast cancer risk.
You should talk about any changes you decide to make with your doctor. You must decide together which benefits and costs are most important to you.
