5 ways to reduce your risk of breast cancer

Breast cancer: lower your risk | How to cut your risk of breast cancer

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Although your age is still the most significant factor in getting breast cancer, there are things you can do to lower your chances of getting the condition.

1. Get a mammogram, if you're over 50.

Currently, 80% of cases affect women over the age of 50, so the NHS offers free breast screening every 3 years for women aged 50 and over.

If your breast cancer is detected at a screening, then 86% of women in England, Wales and Northern Ireland survive at least 15 years.

2. Do a breast exam

Make sure you spend five minutes every month giving your breasts a proper check. And remember, it's not just lumps in your breasts that you should be looking for. Other possible signs of breast cancer include:

A change in the size or shape of a breast
A change in the shape of your nipple
A rash on a nipple or surrounding area
A swelling or lump in your armpit.

None of these definitely mean that you have breast cancer, but you should get them checked out.
- Watch Dr Chris Steele's video advice on how to check your breasts

3. Cut back on alcohol

You don't need to go tee-total, but it's important to know that booze has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer. Studies have shown that every alcohol unit drunk a day increases the risk.

A Cancer Research study estimated that alcohol causes about 2,000 breast cancer cases every year in the UK alone.
- How much alcohol do you drink?

4. Do the household chores

A regular workout 3 times a week can lower your risk of breast cancer. But if you're not the sporty type, you could just make sure you keep up with your housework.

A study by Cancer Research in 2006 discovered that women who do an average of 16-17 hours a week of cooking, cleaning and washing can help protect against breast cancer.

5. Lose weight

Obesity and being generally overweight it not good for your chances of getting breast cancer. Research has shown that gaining even a moderate amount of weight can increase a woman's risk.

Putting on 22lbs ups a woman's risk of developing the disease by 18%, according to a US study in 2006.

The same study also showed that losing the same amount cut the risk by 57%.
- Lose weight with on of our great diets