Breast cancer is a devastating disease that affects thousands of women on an annual basis. While just the thought of this can be extremely scary and just about every woman has been somehow affected by the disease, it is important to understand that awareness is key, and you can protect yourself.
One of the best ways to protect yourself from breast cancer is to perform regular, routine, self breast exams. These exams are simple to do, and should be done once per month, preferably following your regular menstrual cycle. Even though physical examinations by a doctor are extremely important and play a large role in preventative care, there is no substitute for self exams. In fact, a high number of cases of breast cancer were first detected by the patient through a self breast exam.
Mammograms also play a critical role in the early detection of breast cancer. For women who are over the age of forty, and for those who are younger with a family history of the disease, an annual mammogram is a valuable tool in this fight.
Finally, maintaining a healthy diet with plenty of regular exercise can be quite beneficial to maintaining overall health and well being, and even fighting off cancer. Consuming a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, low fat dairy, and whole grains has been shown to provide many benefits. Exercising at least three times per week for about thirty minutes per session also keeps body fat levels in check, weight under control, and the body overall fit and healthy.