How To Avoid Breast Cancer?
On this Women’s Day, it is quite important to check out the things that hurt women more and take precautions and preventive measures against these perils. The pink ribbon, which is strongly associated with the urgency for us to donate and contribute to finding a breast cancer cure, is something that I would like to recall this very day. But let’s not forget that prevention is the best cure, therefore, the most important thing we can do today is to realize and become aware of risk factors of breast cancer.
7 Healthy Breast Habits
Here is a list of things you can do as preventive measures for Breast Cancer.
Check Labels Of Your Cosmetics And Self-Care Products
Cancerous breast biopsies have shown higher accumulations of iron, nickel, chromium, zinc, cadmium, mercury and lead than non-cancerous biopsies. Don’t be fooled when you see the words natural ingredients or mineral oils. Companies know the kinds of words we want to see. Unfortunately, products on the market today don’t necessarily provide what they promise. Visit the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics to learn more about the products you are using.
Limit Your Screen Time At Night
[pullquote]Did you know the light from your cell phone and computer screen can disrupt your melatonin production?[/pullquote]Melatonin is an antioxidant, which helps regulate our sleep and wake cycles and has proven to influence the timing of our reproduction and aging. We make melatonin only while we are asleep and when our eyes see darkness. Therefore, blind women have a much higher production of melatonin than women with normal eye sight and their risk of breast cancer is 50% lower. Going to sleep at 10 pm provides optimal production of this hormone. Lights off, your beauty and breast health are calling.
[Read: Are There Any Yoga Asanas For Sagging Breasts?]
Check Your Plastics
BPA is a carbon-based synthetic compound that is used in plastics and in the lining of food cans, like, beans, tomatoes, etc. It has been linked to breast cancer due to its ability to exhibit estrogen like properties. If you are still microwaving your lunch in plastic containers, now is a good time to switch to glass containers.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol has been statistically linked to a higher risk of breast cancer and that risk goes up with every drink we take. It is a heavy load to the liver, our main detox organ, and can dampen the function of our immune system. Therefore think before you drink.
Stimulate The Lymph
The lymph nodes located in the under arm collect toxins and dead cells helping to keep our breast tissue in good health. Since the lymphatic system is the only system in the body that doesn’t have a pump, it’s important that we lend it a hand. Bring yourself to a sweat at least 3-4 times a week.
Embrace Your Female Networks
One of the studies on breast cancer patients found that women who had fewer social connections before their breast cancer diagnoses were twice as likely to die from breast cancer than women who started off with strong social connections. This same study found that those women who continued their journey alone after diagnoses, ended up 4 times as likely to die of breast cancer in comparison to women who gained support from their friends. Therefore, if female networks are this powerful for women with breast cancer, then embracing our intuitive urge to engage in girl talk is a natural way to keep our health in check.
[Read: Are There Home Remedies For Fibrocystic Breasts?]
There Is No Place For Fear
Just one fearful thought can stimulate the stress response, send our body into panic mode, and give rise to a lot of negative emotions. This process is similar to the inflammation response. It is important that we choose thoughts that make us feel relaxed and nourished.
