Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK – and it’s on the increase with over 55,000 women and 400 men being diagnosed each year.
Lifestyles and early detection through regular mammogram screening, clinical breast examinations and self-examination are key to minimising your chances of developing breast cancer.
Risk factors in your control
There are plenty of lifestyle choices you can make to keep your breast cancer risk as low as possible. These habits can also help to boost your health and wellbeing in general:
- Maintain a healthy weight – keep your BMI under 25.0 (or 23.0 if you’re of South Asian or Chinese descent).
- Follow a healthy diet – high in wholegrains, fruits and vegetables and low in unhealthy fats.
- Keep physically active – at least 150 moderate minutes or 75 vigorous minutes of physical activity a week.
- Avoid smoking – if you smoke then stopping should be one of your top health priorities.
- Keep your alcohol intake as low as possible – and no more than 14 units per week spread across several days.
Certain factors that reduce your oestrogen exposure, such as having children and breast-feeding, are also known to lower your breast cancer risk.
Your fixed risks
Some breast cancer risk factors are less controllable, these include:
- Increased risk with age.
- Having a family history of breast cancer.
- Having specific mutations of either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
- Dense breast tissue.
- Anything that increases your lifetime exposure to oestrogen, such as HRT, contraceptive pill, starting your periods at an early age and starting menopause at a late age.
- Having had some previous types of cancers, including breast cancer.
Having certain risk factors doesn’t mean you will definitely get breast cancer – it can affect people whether they have risk factors or not. If you want to try and reduce your risk you can take a proactive approach by managing the modifiable risk factors that are within your control.
Breast cancer screening
If you’re registered with your GP as female you’ll be invited for breast cancer screening every three years between the ages of 50 and 71. You may be eligible for breast screening before the age of 50 if you have a very high risk of developing breast cancer i.e. if you have a family history.
If you’re 71 or over, you’ll stop receiving screening invitations but you can still ask your local breast screening service to have breast screening. Here’s some more information about breast cancer screening as well as all other health screens offered by the NHS.
The below video has been created to help people with learning disabilities and autism understand what happens during a mammogram. Co-produced with women with learning disabilities, this film has been developed in partnership with NHS Mid and South Essex, Ace Anglia, Thinklusive, and Sport for Confidence.
Take control
The fear of cancer can sometimes put people off getting checked, however, it is far more preventable and treatable than many people realise – especially if caught early.
Take a proactive approach by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, conducting self-examinations and by attending NHS breast screening appointments when you are invited.
Further support
Breast Cancer UK – Supportive content including research and ways to reduce your risk.
Macmillan Cancer Support – Information and links to video and audio content.
Cancer Research UK – List of different supportive organisations.
This information was published September 2023.
