Practice Healthy Behaviors

Key points

  • You can lower your risk of getting breast cancer at any age by making healthy lifestyle choices.
  • You also can raise the chance of finding breast cancer early.

Background

Photo of young women participating in an aerobics class
Getting enough physical activity is one way to lower your breast cancer risk.

Healthy lifestyle choices like keeping a healthy weight, getting enough physical activity, and breastfeeding your babies can help you lower your risk of getting breast cancer.

You also can raise the chance of finding breast cancer early, when it's easier to treat:

  • Know how your breasts normally look and feel. Talk to your health care provider right away if you notice changes in the size or shape of your breast, pain, nipple discharge, or other symptoms.
  • Talk to your doctor if you have a higher risk. If you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer or other risk factors, you should talk to your doctor about ways to manage your risk.

More information

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Content Source:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; Division of Cancer Prevention and Control