Lifestyle may reduce breast cancer risk

SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Preventing cancer, rather than treating it after it appears, may be the key to breast cancer control, says a U.S. researcher.

Leslie Bernstein of the University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center says risk factors that cannot be changed include: age; gender; race/ethnicity; early non-cancerous changes in the breast; family history of breast cancer; age at first menstrual period; and age at menopause.

However, risk factors that can be changed include: pregnancy history; removal of the ovaries prior to menopause; lactation; density of the breasts; past radiation treatment; physical activity; postmenopausal obesity/adult weight gain; hormone therapy; and alcohol intake.

Physical activity, appropriate weight and drinking green tea have been associated with reduced breast cancer risk in some populations, says Bernstein.

Bernstein addressed the issue at the 28th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in San Antonio.