How to Beat Breast Cancer Before it Starts

by Kerri Cooke

“Prevention is better than treatment,” Dr. Niazy Selim, Selim Surgery Center, says of breast cancer. There are a few different ways to reduce your risk of the disease, including losing weight, having a pregnancy, nursing an infant and living a healthy lifestyle. 

Dr. Selim specializes in bariatric surgery and emphasizes that weight loss is proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer. What is the connection? Those who are obese have more fat cells, which means obese women produce higher levels of the hormone that can act as fuel for breast cancer. “Fat cells produce estrogen,” Dr. Selim says, so reducing body mass index can positively affect cancer risk. 

Pregnancy helps protect a woman from breast cancer as well. “When a woman is pregnant, her progesterone is high,” Dr. Selim says. If a woman nurses her baby, protection is extended. Dr Selim notes that “the activity of the glands involved in lactation reduce the risk of breast cancer. The breasts are designed to lactate.” He says that this is the reason why hospitals are now providing more guidance on breastfeeding. It’s healthy for both the baby and the mother.  

A healthy diet and active lifestyle are equally important for preventing breast cancer. Exercise and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can help metabolism and protect against negative health outcomes. “Humans are designed to be active,” Dr. Selim says. It is well-known that excessive sitting can lead to poorer health, so get up and move regularly. 

Many breast cancer cases involve women with a family history of the disease. A woman can do everything right but still end up with a cancer diagnosis. Dr. Selim emphasizes that it’s extremely important for all women to have a yearly mammogram starting at age 40. Catching problems early will result in better treatment plans and a higher survival rate. While some people will ultimately pass away due to complications from breast cancer, Dr. Selim emphasizes breast cancer isn’t necessarily a terminal diagnosis. In fact, with modern advancements in technology and treatments, breast cancer survival rates have increased, especially in cases where metastasis hasn’t occurred.