Understanding Breast Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention

Common Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

• Family History and Genetics: If a close relative has had breast or ovarian cancer, your risk may be higher. Certain inherited gene mutations, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, can also significantly increase risk. Your primary care provider can help determine if genetic counseling or testing is appropriate for you.
• Age: The risk of breast cancer increases as you get older, which is why routine screenings become even more important over time.
• Hormonal Factors: Early menstruation, late menopause, or hormone replacement therapy can all affect breast cancer risk due to longer exposure to estrogen and progesterone.
• Lifestyle Choices: Lack of exercise, poor diet, alcohol use, and smoking are all linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

Working with Your Primary Care Provider

Your PCP is your partner in prevention. They can assess your individual risk, help create a personalized screening schedule, and provide support for healthy lifestyle changes. Whether it’s guidance on nutrition, referrals for smoking cessation programs, or genetic testing, your provider ensures you’re not navigating this journey alone.

Prevention Through Healthy Lifestyle Choices

While not every risk factor can be controlled, making intentional choices can help reduce your overall risk:

1. Stay Active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Exercise helps regulate hormones and maintain a healthy weight.
2. Eat Nourishing Foods: Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains support your overall health and can lower cancer risk.
3. Limit Alcohol: Even small amounts of alcohol have been linked to an increased risk. Limiting intake or avoiding it altogether can make a difference.
4. Quit Smoking: Avoiding tobacco benefits your whole body, including reducing cancer risk.
    

The Power of Regular Screenings

Lifestyle choices are important, but regular mammograms and clinical breast exams are still the best tools for early detection. These screenings can catch changes before symptoms appear, when treatment is often most effective.

Convenient St. Mary’s Primary Care Locations

We make preventive breast health care accessible across our region. You can connect with a caring provider at:

• Athens Internal Medicine Associates – Athens
• Community Internal Medicine of Athens – Athens
• Georgia Family Medicine – Watkinsville
• Good Samaritan Primary Care – Greater Greene County area
• Sacred Heart Primary Care – Greater Franklin County area
• St. Mary’s Family Medicine – Bogart
• St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates – Watkinsville/Oconee
• St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates on Chase – North Athens/Jackson/Madison
• St. Mary’s Primary Care – Athens

In addition, St. Mary’s Breast Health Center offers comprehensive care for breast cancer and other conditions that affect the breast, all in one convenient location.