Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure Highlights Breast Health

Next Saturday is the 13th annual Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure®. This event serves as the perfect opportunity to talk about the importance of good breast health.

How many people do you know who say they’re not worried about getting breast cancer because it doesn’t run in the family?  Fact is, 85 percent of women who get breast cancer do not have a family history of it.

While certain risk factors do elevate your chances of getting breast cancer, the two main risks for everyone are:

• You are a woman.
• You’re a day older today than you were yesterday—aging.

Even though you can’t control your gender or aging, you can control the lifestyle choices that contribute to your risk of breast cancer:

• Weight and weight gain—Studies revealed that weight gain after menopause can increase the risk; women who gained 20 pounds or more after age 18 were at greater risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.
• Alcohol—In addition to adding empty calories to your day, studies show that a woman who has two to three alcoholic drinks a day increases her risk factor by 20 percent over non-drinkers.
• Exercise—Regular physical activity offers many benefits including weight control, improved physical condition and may boost the immune system. In postmenopausal women it may lower the risk of breast cancer by 20 percent.
• Socioeconomic Status—Surprisingly, if you are considered to have high socioeconomic status, such as high income and/or high education, you are at higher risk of breast cancer. It seems that these women have their first child later in life, have fewer children and tend to use postmenopausal hormones and oral contraceptives.

Since early detection holds the best promise for a positive outcome, the main thing you can do is make sure you are getting the proper screenings. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization recommends the following:

• If you are at average risk, have a mammogram every year starting at 40. Talk with your health care provider to determine your risk level.
• Starting at age 20, have a clinical breast exam every three years and every year starting at age 40.
• Know your body and learn what is normal for you by performing a breast self-exam.

If you haven’t attended St. Louis’ Race for the Cure in the past, make sure you do this year. In addition to getting some exercise, you’ll be helping to raise awareness and funds for this important cause.