Be Your Own *Breast* Friend | AFC Urgent Care of East Tennessee

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of this month, our team at AFC Urgent Care TN wants you to educate yourself about what you can to limit your risk of developing breast cancer.

Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer

According to Breastcancer.org, about one in eight women living in the United States will develop breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. But there are steps you can take to help lower your risk.

First, it’s important to maintain a healthy weight. One key way to do so is through exercise. According to the Mayo Clinic, people should aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week.

But it doesn’t have to be all at once. Spread it out by taking a walk around the block one day, attending a yoga class the next, and performing some weight training the following day. It’s important to regularly switch things up so that you don’t get tired of doing the same routine over and over.

Second, quit smoking if you are a smoker and limit your use of alcohol. Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend limiting yourself to a moderate amount of alcohol. What does moderate mean? Two drinks per day for a man, or one drink per day for a woman.

Third, promote good health overall—and good breast health—by eating a healthy diet. A healthy diet consists of plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein (such as turkey or chicken), and whole grains. Avoid excess sugar, sodium and saturated fats.

Finally, make sure to get age-appropriate screenings, like mammography. Guidelines differ on when you should begin receiving a mammogram. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk factors and any family history of the disease. He or she will be able to suggest a screening regimen that best meets your needs.

Does the season change have you feeling under the weather? Visit an AFC Urgent Care TN facility so we can help you get back to feeling your best.