Preventing Cancer in Your Teens, 20s, 30s, 40s and Beyond
This National Cancer Prevention Month, our aim this month, as it is every month, is to make sure you feel empowered with the knowledge of what you can do to prevent breast cancer (*finger snaps*).
If you didn’t know, Keep A Breast was founded and has continuously evolved to fulfill our goal of reaching young people with breast cancer education and support.
We recognize that there isn’t much information available for teens and young people that shares what you can do right now to reduce your risk for breast cancer, which is what we’ve been passionately working to change. Further, we recognize that this is a question for people of all ages, in each decade of our lives.
So, let’s get into it.
BREAST CANCER PREVENTION METHODS IN YOUR TEENS
In general, your risk for breast cancer increases as you age. However, we feel it’s important to think about prevention as a lifestyle from Day #1!
This doesn’t mean setting a ton of reminders on your phone to check off on the daily, but rather simply being mindful of what’s going in and on your body, and what’s around you at home.
It’s likely that a lot of these things can be categorized as hormone disrupting chemicals, a.k.a. Endocrine Disruptors. We have a great blog on 12 of the worst endocrine disruptors that goes into detail on how exactly they can do harm, plus tips on how to avoid these chemicals.
Next, we want to talk about self-love! What does that include? Touching your boobies in the name of prevention, health, and empowerment each month to complete your self check from the comfort of home, and from a place of love…not nervousness, anxiety or fearfulness.
We want you to know that you’re a beautiful person and committing to touching your boobies on a monthly basis is the start of an exciting, life-long positive relationship with your body!
That’s why we created our Keep A Breast App, which guides you through your monthly self check in an easy to follow format…plus, you are rewarded with a little treat at the very end, woohoo!
Our app is better than ever and we’re just getting started. It has English, Spanish and French languages available, AND can put you directly in touch with virtual care providers at Carbon Health should you find something concerning during your monthly check.
Plus, you can read survivor stories directly in the app and can schedule your breast self checks based on your menstrual cycle! We’re pretty proud of the work we’ve done to help you feel supported and like breast health is right at your fingertips, literally!
What’s another great way to incorporate breast cancer prevention in your teens? Make sure you’re getting plenty of exercise.
Did you know for young people aged 6-17, it’s recommended that you get at least an hour a day of exercise daily? As part of those 60 minutes, 3 days a week should be spent doing vigorous physical activity at least 3 days a week. That includes activities like running or soccer, workouts that strengthen muscles like climbing or pushups and which strengthen bones like gymnastics.
One more cancer prevention tip: Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on the daily and make protecting your skin a ritual. Suncare is SO cute nowadays, so it’s easier than ever to find your favorite wide brim or dad hat and incorporate into your ‘fit. Remember, in order for sunscreen to do its job, you need to reapply every couple of hours.
Prevent exposure now, and your beautiful, glowy skin will thank you down the road!
BREAST CANCER PREVENTION METHODS IN YOUR 20s AND 30s
With adulthood comes a lot more opportunities for being proactive with prevention! While it’s true that breast cancer in women under age 45 is rare, for those who are diagnosed with cancer between 15 to 39, it’s the most common type of cancer, according to YaleMedicine.org.
Our Top 5 Tips For Breast Cancer Prevention in your 20s and 30s:
Set it & (Don’t) Forget It: Make sure you’re visiting the doc at least once a year for your annual wellness exam. Along with your pap smear, make sure you have your healthcare provider do a breast check during your visit. Need some tips for talking to your doc? Check out our recent blog on this very topic!
Avoid Alcohol Intake: To put it simply, it’s been linked to an increase in your risk for breast cancer. There are so many absolutely delicious mocktail recipes out there to enjoy!
Keep an Eye Out: If becoming a mom is in your plans for the future, ease your mind by empowering yourself with information about Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer (PABC). Some of the possible warning signs are lumps that aren’t painful (rather than the ones associated with clogged milk ducts.) Learn more about PABC and what to look for by reading our blog on new moms and breast cancer.
Cut The Crap: It’s been some time now that the NIH has linked high sugar consumption to an increase in breast cancer tumor growth and metastasis. But it also happens to be highly addictive! Take a moment to think about if sugar has control over your life, and if it does…it’s time to make a change!
Check Your History: The most common cause of hereditary breast cancer is a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, which you inherit. Take some time to better understand your family’s history, and if you may have inherited these gene mutations. Genetic testing is an option that can really help when making a health plan you can feel confident in. We know that genetic testing can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, but it may also be covered by your insurance. We recommend reaching out to your doctor first with information about your family history if you learn about this mutation, and then proceed from there.
BREAST CANCER PREVENTION METHODS IN YOUR 40s AND BEYOND
Bam! We’ve now entered the decade in which it’s recommended you start receiving mammograms, if you are located in the U.S. If you’re between the ages of 40-44, you should have the choice to start these screenings, and for women aged 45 to 54, the American Cancer Society states you should be getting your mammogram every year.
And once you hit 55 and older, it’s recommended that you either switch to mammograms every two years or continue yearly screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is currently in the process of updating it’s recommendations on screening ages, but you can view their most recent recommendations on their website.
In addition to mammography, which performs a series of low-dose X-ray images of the breasts, there are supplemental screening options available, including thermography. Have you heard of it?
Thermography is a non-invasive heat detection screening that may help measure physiological changes in the breast. It’s important to note that the test is not a substitute for a mammogram, rather a tool to be used in conjunction with screening measures such as mammography. It’s also not often covered by insurance or widely available, but we want to provide you with this information in case it makes sense for your personal health plan.
Most importantly, by the time you get to this age, and (ideally before!), we want you to feel like you have a baseline for what’s your normal, because we’re all so different! So please, set aside some time for yourself, schedule it in our app, to check your boobs on a monthly basis.
It’s a power move for taking your health into your own hands. And hey, if we don’t take care of ourselves first, how can we be fully present, loving individuals to others?
We’ll leave you with that food for thought.