Steps to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk For Your Daughter
Breast Cancer is a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people each year. Breast Cancer is a cause extremely close to my heart and now having a daughter of my own, I know its never too early to takes steps to reduce breast cancer risk. In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re partnering with the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program to talk about the importance of prevention.
We all know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Whether it was our mother, grandmother, sister, best friend, aunt, or acquaintance, when you hear those two words a shiver travels down your spine and your heart sinks a little towards your stomach. You know that a diagnosis is only the beginning and a long road of surgery, recovery, trauma, follow up appointments, bloodwork, and potential heartbreak is on the future horizon. Our faith keeps us strong as we refuse to give up on the cure that will once and for all end this terrible disease.
Although most women don’t start any type of screening for breast cancer until they are adults, there are steps you can take to ensure the little girl in your life is less at risk for facing what so may brave women do on a daily basis.
It starts in utero. As a pregnant woman, be aware of your environment and any potential toxins. Don’t go by the notion of what pregnant women did 50 years ago. Times have changed. We’re aware of the deadly affects of cigarette smoke and excessive alcohol consumption when pregnant. Once your little bundle of joy has arrived, don’t stop with monitoring the dangers in her environment. Opt for products that are phthalate free and BPA free. Although plastic containers may be more convenient, using glass for cooking or heating is safer. Food consumption also plays a roll. Incorporating fresh ingredients versus canned foods is another proactive step you can take!
Scientists, physicians, and community partners in the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program (BCERP), which is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), study the effects of environmental exposures on breast cancer risk later in life. They created a mother-daughter toolkit (http://bit.ly/BCERPtoolkit) mothers can use to talk to daughters about steps to take together to reduce risk.
Always keep the communication open, especially with your daughter about ways you both can reduce your risk of breast cancer. Here’s how YOU can help BCERP! Take this quick survey https://gmuchss.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7TEuYTJvnIKzprv
What steps will you take to reduce your risk for breast cancer?
This is a sponsored post in partnership with Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program.
