Healthy habits after breast cancer
After you've completed your breast cancer treatments, it's normal to have concerns that your cancer might come back. Going to your follow-up doctor's visits is one of the best ways to deal with these worries. And making these lifestyle changes also may help you stay as healthy as possible.
Lose weight, if you need to
Many studies suggest that being overweight raises your risk of breast cancer coming back. However, it's not clear if shedding those excess pounds reverses that risk. Studies are ongoing. Still, it's important to ask your doctor what's a healthy weight for you. Maintaining a healthy weight might also help reduce your risk of other types of cancer and chronic diseases.
Keep moving
Engaging in physical activity may reduce your risk of breast cancer recurrence. And it may help you manage the stress, fear and fatigue some breast cancer survivors experience. Walking is a good activity. Try to work in strengthening exercises too.
The more exercise you do, the better the potential protection. But any activity is better than none. If you have questions about exercising, your doctor or a physical therapist can help you safely get started.
Know the risks of alcohol
When you drink alcohol, it can raise your levels of estrogen, a hormone that may fuel breast cancer growth. Having even a few drinks a week can increase the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time. More research is needed to find out how alcohol use affects recurrence. But because alcohol use is linked to several types of cancer, avoiding it may reduce your risk for a new cancer.
Eat well
While there's no guarantee that changing your diet can help keep breast cancer from returning, evidence suggests it might help. Eating foods linked to overall cancer prevention can be a good place to start. Aim to include lots of colorful vegetables and fruits, beans and peas, and whole grains. Reduce your intake of red and processed meats.
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Reviewed 10/2/2024
Sources
- American Cancer Society. "Can I Lower My Risk of Breast Cancer Progressing or Coming Back?" https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/living-as-a-breast-cancer-survivor/can-i-lower-my-risk-of-breast-cancer-progressing-or-coming-back.html.
- American Cancer Society. "How to Prevent Cancer Recurrence." https://www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship/long-term-health-concerns/recurrence/can-i-do-anything-to-prevent-cancer-recurrence.html.