Prevention is the cure
At Keep A Breast, we believe knowledge is power, and prevention is the cure. Understanding your personal risk and making small, impactful changes to your daily routine can lower your chances of developing breast cancer. Here’s what you need to know.
Natural Risk Factors | Reduce Your Risk | Self-Check Tips | Download the KAB App
Natural Risk Factors
Everyone has the opportunity to lower their risk for breast cancer by choosing to lead a healthy lifestyle, avoiding common toxins linked directly to cancer, and making nutritious diet choices.
But we also want to recognize that there are some factors that can’t be changed that inherently raise a person’s risk for breast cancer, including:
Ways to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk
According to American Cancer Society, around 90% of breast cancer cases are likely caused by lifestyle and environmental factors. What actions are you ready to take to live a more preventative lifestyle?
✅ Check Yourself
40% of breast cancers are first found by women who discover their own lump. So be sure to do a monthly self-check and know your normal. Check out our free app for a step-by-step guide!
🥦 Eat Your Medicine
A fiber-rich, plant-forward diet can lower your breast cancer risk—especially for hormone-related types of breast cancer. Think: leafy greens, berries, legumes, and whole grains.
🏃 Move Your Body
Just 30 minutes a day of moderate movement lowers breast cancer risk up to 50%. Walk, skate, dance—whatever moves you. This is one of the most actionable ways to lower your risk!
🧽 Care About Cleaners
Even "green" labels can be misleading. Look for products free of synthetic fragrances, parabens, and phthalates. Learn more about how to reduce your risk with household products.
🔖 Check Your Labels
Up to 90% of breast cancers are linked to environmental + lifestyle factors. Look carefully at labels to check for toxins you don’t want in or on your body. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s app to quickly scan a product and learn how it’s rated.
🍷 Please Drink Responsibly
Even one drink a day increases your breast cancer risk by about 7–10%. None is best, but any reduction is a step in the right direction!
😌 Let’s De-stress
Chronic stress increases inflammation and can contribute to tumor growth. Unplug, meditate, go outside—your calm matters.
📱 Give Your Phone Space
No phones in bras. Use speakers or headphones to limit radiation exposure near breast tissue, just to be safe.
☀️ Get Outside
Low vitamin D = higher breast cancer risk. A few minutes of sun (with non-toxic sunscreen!) helps keep your levels up.
♻️ Ditch the Plastic
BPA and phthalates in plastics = endocrine disruptors. Swap to glass, stainless steel, and BPA-free items.
💊 Explore Birth Control
Hormonal birth control may slightly increase risk—but also lowers ovarian and uterine cancer risk. Talk to your doc about your options.
🌙 Prioritize Sleep
Poor sleep can mess with hormones that protect against cancer. Aim for 7–9 hours a night.
🧬 Know Your Family History
Family with breast or ovarian cancer? You could be at higher risk. Genetic counseling and testing might be right for you.
👙 Choose Comfort
No, underwire bras don’t cause breast cancer. But comfy, wire-free options may help support lymphatic flow.
💻 Know Your Workplace Risks
Work around chemicals? Wear gloves, mask, and ventilate. Stay safe, especially in beauty, agriculture, or cleaning industries.
✊ Understand Inequity
Black, brown, LGBTQIA+ communities often face later diagnoses + worse outcomes. Equity in prevention saves lives, that’s why our work in breast cancer advocacy focuses on breast health education for all.
👯♀️ Build Your Support System
A strong community = better health. Talk about boobs with your friends. Lift each other up.
💪 Be Your Own Advocate
Ask questions. Trust your gut. Get second opinions. You are your breast advocate! 💕
Early Detection is the Best Prevention
#CheckYourself monthly to stay on top of your breast health. 💕
Check yourself at the same time each month–ideally a week after your period if you have one, or pick a date
You can and should still do self-checks with implants or after breast cancer surgery.
Knowing your body = empowerment. Check yourself to build a positive relationship with your body and take charge of your health.
Get the free KAB App to set up monthly reminders and to do a guided self-check!
A Free Tool for Breast Cancer Prevention
The Keep A Breast App is your go-to tool for monthly reminders, guided self-checks, and breast health resources–right in your pocket!