One in 4 breast cancers preventable thanks to simple measures

More than 61,000 new cases of breast cancer are detected in France each year. But according to a commission Lancet on breast cancer published on April 15, a quarter of these cancers are due to “modifiable risk factors”, which could be reduced by lifestyle changes. Even if “considerable progress” As research and treatments have taken place, bold policy measures are now needed to promote better lifestyles, the report says.

Prolong breastfeeding, when possible

The Commission, led by the University of Cambridge, studied the diagnosis, treatment and experiences of women living with the world’s most common cancer. In high-income countries, there have been more cases of preventable diseases – triggered by factors such as physical inactivity and obesity. But experts estimate that 4.7% of cases in the UK are linked to women who do not breastfeed, reducing the risk of illness by 4% for every 12 months spent doing so.

In fact, although the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, the breastfeeding rate is often lower in Western countries. In the UK, only one in 200 women continue beyond 12 months. In France only 18% of women continue breastfeeding beyond 6 months.

Reduce your alcohol consumption

Researchers also discovered that those who drink a small glass of wine per day are 9% more likely to develop breast cancer than non-drinkers, with this figure rising to 60% among the heaviest drinkers. “Authorities should consider warning more about tobacco use over alcohol., the report suggests. If the advice particularly applies to British women, perceived as the biggest excessive drinkers in the developed world, remember that a recent survey by Public Health France revealed last January that excesses were affecting more and more women.

Prevention remains our best weapon

These two recommendations do not cover all the risk factors for breast cancer. Between eight and 13% of breast cancer cases in the UK are due to obesity, the Commission found, for example, which increases the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The percentages of breast cancer attributable to hormone replacement therapy and hormonal contraceptives in the United Kingdom are also 2.1% and 0.8%, the press release added.

According to Dr Simon Vincent, director of research, support and influence at Breast Cancer Now mentioned by the DailyMail, the fact that many factors overlap, including genetic factors, should not cause us to lose sight of a possible improvement: “Although we cannot predict who will develop breast cancer, we know that prevention is our best weapon against the disease and that there are things people can do to reduce their risk of developing it.“

Lancet Breast Cancer Commission report highlights that many cases of breast cancer are preventable, but few people know about modifiable risk factors and steps they can take to minimize their risk of developing the disease . “It is essential that women are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyle changes which can have a positive impact on their health and help reduce their risk of breast cancer” he concludes.