On
August 17th, the Cancer Survivor Center will be hosting a
Cancer Survivor Symposium at the University of Colorado's
School of Medicine Given Institute here in Aspen. One of the
keynote speakers is Tim Byers from the University of Colorado
Cancer Center in Denver. Here
is a excerpt from a talk Dr. Byers presented in Avon.
Healthy
Lifestyle Habits May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk
At the
Avon Latina Breast Cancer Survivorship Conference held in
June, Tim Byers, MD, MPH, professor of preventive medicine
and biometrics at the CU School of Medicine, offered recommendations
for healthy habits that women can incorporate into their lives
to lower their risk of breast cancer.
The conference
was presented by the CU Cancer Center, Avon Products Foundation
and Project SOL, a program to improve quality of life for
Latina breast cancer survivors in Colorado.
Maintain
a healthy weight by eating a low-fat diet with lots
of fruits and vegetables and by exercising regularly, Dr.
Byers told more than 100 conference attendees. Although high-fat
foods are not directly linked to breast cancer, a diet high
in fat often leads to weight gain and obesity, which increases
the risk of breast cancer among women ages 50 and older.
He added
that the risk for breast cancer goes up by 50 percent for
obese women after menopause.
“Cancer
risk can be diminished with weight loss. By losing weight,
the levels of estrogen, which feeds many breast cancers, are
lowered in the circulation,” Dr. Byers explained. “For
survivors who know they have had estrogen-dependent tumors,
it is especially important to control weight in order to reduce
the risk of a recurrence.”
Be
physically active. Dr. Byers said that beyond having
better control of their weight, physically active people also
lower their breast cancer risk by approximately 30 percent.
He recommended at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such
as brisk walking, at least five days a week. Not only is breast
cancer risk reduced, but exercise also improves muscle strength,
metabolism, the sense of well-being and cardiovascular health.
If
you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. Some research
has shown one or two drinks a day can be good for the heart,
but even this moderate amount of drinking can increase the
risk of breast cancer.
“I
think a good way to deal with this contradictory information
about a heart disease benefit and a breast cancer risk from
alcohol is to first learn if you’re at high risk for
breast cancer,” Dr. Byers said. “For women at
high risk due to their own personal history or a strong family
history, it may be prudent to not drink alcohol daily.”
The
verdict on soy is still out. Dr. Byers explained
that soy is widely touted as an anti-estrogen, which should
protect against breast cancer. In high dose, however, soy
can act as an estrogen. The balance of risk versus benefit
of soy at different doses is unclear at this point. More research
has to be done before Dr. Byers will recommend soy as something
women should use to reduce their breast cancer risk.
He concluded
his talk by saying that there is an ongoing need for more
research and clearer messages. In the meantime, there is ample
evidence to recommend that women engage in a healthy lifestyle
by eating nutritiously, exercising for at least 30 minutes
a day, five days a week, and maintaining a healthy weight.
These measures not only reduce the risk of breast cancer,
but they improve overall health and cardiovascular fitness. |
