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Important Coronavirus COVID-19 InformationLearn More
 * About
   * Why Siteman
   * Mission, Vision & History
   * Organizations
   * Committees
   * Contact
   * Leadership
   * Partnerships
 * Treatment
   * Physician Directory
   * Clinical Trials
   * Patient Experience
   * Siteman Psychology Service
   * Survivorship
   * Cardio-Oncology
   * Lymphedema Surgery
   * NCI Cancer Information A to Z
   * Treatment Roles
   * Cancer Types
     * Bladder
     * Brain
     * Breast
     * Cervical
     * Childhood Cancers
     * Colorectal
     * Esophageal
     * Gallbladder
     * Head/Neck
     * Kidney
     * Leukemia
     * Liver
     * Lung
     * Lymphoma
     * Multiple Myeloma
     * Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
     * Ovarian
     * Pancreatic
     * Prostate
     * Sarcoma/Rare Tumors
     * Skin
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     * Testicular
     * Thyroid
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   * The Siteman Approach
     * Medical Therapy
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     * Surgery
     * Genetics and Hereditary Cancer
     * Cancer Imaging
     * Immunology and Immunotherapy
     * Pathology
     * Patient and Family Services
   * Specialized Programs
     * Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapies Center
     * Gynecologic Oncology
     * Brain Tumor Center
     * Sarcoma
 * Visiting
   * Guest Services
   * Washington University Medical Campus
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   * Barnard Health and Cancer Information Center
   * Pharmacies
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   * Volunteering and Contributing
   * Patient Rights
   * Patient Privacy
 * Prevention
   * Your Disease Risk
   * Preventing Cancer
   * Risk Factors
   * Screening
   * Smoking Cessation
   * Mammography
   * Genetic Counseling
   * Cancer News in Context
   * Take Control
   * Health Disparities
   * Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities
   * Community Outreach and Engagement
 * Research
   * Significant Research Advances
   * Learn About Clinical Trials
   * List of Researchers
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   * SPORE in Leukemia
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 * Clinicians
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 * Give
   * Siteman Advancement Office
   * Gratitude
   * The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital


 * About
   
   
   ABOUT
   
    * Why Siteman
    * Mission, Vision & History
    * Organizations
    * Committees
    * Contact
    * Leadership
    * Partnerships
   
   News/In the Media
   
   SITEMAN CANCER CENTER EARNS HIGHEST FEDERAL RATING
   
   Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University
   School of Medicine in St. Louis has been recognized once again as a top U.S.
   cancer institution, based on a review of its research programs. This...
   
   Read The Full Story
 * Treatment
   
   
   TREATMENT
   
    * Physician Directory
    * Clinical Trials
    * Patient Experience
    * Siteman Psychology Service
    * Survivorship
    * Cardio-Oncology
    * Lymphedema Surgery
    * NCI Cancer Information A to Z
    * Treatment Roles
    * Cancer Types
      
      CANCER TYPES
      
       * Bladder
       * Brain
       * Breast
       * Cervical
       * Childhood Cancers
       * Colorectal
       * Esophageal
       * Gallbladder
       * Head/Neck
       * Kidney
       * Leukemia
       * Liver
       * Lung
       * Lymphoma
       * Multiple Myeloma
       * Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
       * Ovarian
       * Pancreatic
       * Prostate
       * Sarcoma/Rare Tumors
       * Skin
       * Stomach
       * Testicular
       * Thyroid
       * Uterine
   
    * The Siteman Approach
      
      THE SITEMAN APPROACH
      
       * Medical Therapy
       * Radiation Therapy
       * Surgery
       * Genetics and Hereditary Cancer
       * Cancer Imaging
       * Immunology and Immunotherapy
       * Pathology
       * Patient and Family Services
   
    * Specialized Programs
      
      SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS
      
       * Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapies Center
       * Gynecologic Oncology
       * Brain Tumor Center
       * Sarcoma
   
   Clinical
   
   NEWEST FORM OF PROTON THERAPY OFFERED AT SITEMAN CANCER CENTER
   
   A second proton therapy system has been installed at Siteman Cancer
   Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine
   and is now available to treat patients. The pencil-beam scanning technology –
   the most advanced form of radiation...
   
   Read The Full Story
 * Visiting
   
   
   VISITING
   
    * Guest Services
    * Washington University Medical Campus
    * West County
    * St. Charles County
    * South County
    * Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital
    * North County
    * Illinois
    * Siteman Cancer Network
    * Cancer Care Clinic
    * Barnard Health and Cancer Information Center
    * Pharmacies
    * Payment Information
    * Volunteering and Contributing
    * Patient Rights
    * Patient Privacy
   
   Clinical
   
   SITEMAN CANCER CENTER TO OPEN NEWEST LOCATION AT NORTHWEST HEALTHCARE IN
   FLORISSANT NOV. 4
   
   Siteman Cancer Center at Northwest HealthCare, located near Interstate 270
   and Graham Road in Florissant, will begin seeing patients Nov. 4. The $26.3
   million facility will feature state-of-the-art technology, expert care by
   Washington University physicians...
   
   Read The Full Story
 * Prevention
   
   
   PREVENTION
   
    * Your Disease Risk
    * Preventing Cancer
    * Risk Factors
    * Screening
    * Smoking Cessation
    * Mammography
    * Genetic Counseling
    * Cancer News in Context
    * Take Control
    * Health Disparities
    * Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities
    * Community Outreach and Engagement
   
   Research
   
   BREAST CANCER PREVENTION TRIAL UNDERWAY
   
   Some 330,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and
   researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are
   seeking ways to reduce that number. A new $3 million grant —...
   
   Read The Full Story
 * Research
   
   
   RESEARCH
   
    * Significant Research Advances
    * Learn About Clinical Trials
    * List of Researchers
    * Research Programs
    * SPORE in Leukemia
    * SPORE in Pancreatic Cancer
    * Center for Genome Integrity
    * Shared Resources (Cores)
    * Clinical Research Resources
    * Funding Opportunities
    * Training & Education
    * Community Outreach and Engagement
    * Membership Information
   
   Research
   
   BLOOD TEST FOR METASTATIC PROSTATE CANCER COULD SUGGEST BETTER TREATMENT
   OPTIONS
   
   A blood test developed at Washington University School of Medicine in St.
   Louis could help determine next steps for patients whose prostate cancer has
   spread despite treatment. The test is designed to help doctors determine...
   
   Read The Full Story
 * Clinicians
   
   
   CLINICIANS
   
    * Physician Services
    * Educational Programs
   
   News/In the Media
   
   $3.7 MILLION SUPPORTS CROWDSOURCED DATABASE OF CANCER GENOMICS
   
   Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have
   received a $3.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to
   support an open-source database aimed at boosting personalized approaches to
   cancer...
   
   Read The Full Story
 * Give
   
   
   GIVE
   
    * Siteman Advancement Office
    * Gratitude
    * The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital
   
   News/In the Media
   
   $10 MILLION GIFT CREATES BURSKY CENTER FOR HUMAN IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOTHERAPY
   
   Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has received a $10
   million gift to support research that harnesses the immune system to fight
   cancer, infectious diseases, and disorders caused by autoimmunity and immune
   deficiencies....
   
   Read The Full Story


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Take Control

8 WAYS TO PREVENT BREAST CANCER

 * 8 Ways to Stay Healthy and Prevent Cancer
 * 8 Ways to Stay Healthy After Cancer
 * 8 Ways to a Healthier Weight
 * 8 Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer
 * 8 Ways to Prevent Colon Cancer
 * 8 Ways to better health and a lower risk of cancer for early adults


WHAT'S ON THIS PAGE

 * Keep Weight in Check
 * Be Physically Active
 * Eat Your Fruits & Vegetables - and Avoid Too Much Alcohol
 * Don't Smoke
 * Breastfeed, If Possible
 * Avoid Birth Control Pills, Particularly After Age 35 or If You Smoke
 * Avoid Post-Menopausal Hormones
 * Tamoxifen and Raloxifene for Women at High Risk
 * Find Out Your Family History
 * Don’t Forget Screening

| Prevention | Take Control | 8 Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer


8 WAYS TO PREVENT BREAST CANCER

These 8 simple steps can help lower the risk of breast cancer.
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 * Download PDF in English – Large print
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 * Download PDF in Bosnian
 * Download PDF in Spanish
 * Download PDF in Vietnamese

Breast cancer. Just reading those words can make many women worry. And that’s
natural.

Nearly everyone knows someone touched by the disease.

But there is a lot of good news about breast cancer these days. Treatments keep
getting better, and we know more than ever about ways to prevent the disease.
These eight simple steps can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Not every one
applies to every woman, but together they can have a big impact.


1. KEEP WEIGHT IN CHECK

It’s easy to tune out because it gets said so often, but maintaining a healthy
weight is an important goal for everyone. Being overweight can increase the risk
of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.


2. BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE

Exercise is as close to a silver bullet for good health as there is, and women
who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of
breast cancer. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to help keep weight
in check.


3. EAT YOUR FRUITS & VEGETABLES – AND AVOID TOO MUCH ALCOHOL

A healthy diet can help lower the risk of breast cancer.  Try to eat a lot of
fruits and vegetables and keep alcohol at moderate levels or lower (a drink a
day or under).  While moderate drinking can be good for the heart in older
adults, even low levels of intake can increase the risk of breast cancer.  If
you don’t drink, don’t feel you need to start. If you drink moderately, there’s
likely no reason to stop. But, if you drink more, you should cut down or quit.


4. DON’T SMOKE

Smokers and non-smokers alike know how unhealthy smoking is.  On top of lowering
quality of life and increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and at least
15 cancers – including breast cancer – it also causes smelly breath, bad teeth,
and wrinkles. Now that’s motivation to stay smoke-free or work to get
smoke-free.


5. BREASTFEED, IF POSSIBLE

Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more (combined for all children) lowers
the risk of breast cancer. It also has great health benefits for the child.


6. AVOID BIRTH CONTROL PILLS, PARTICULARLY AFTER AGE 35 OR IF YOU SMOKE

Birth control pills have both risks and benefits. The younger a woman is, the
lower the risks are. While women are taking birth control pills, they have a
slightly increased risk of breast cancer. This risk goes away quickly, though,
after stopping the pill. The risk of stroke and heart attack is also increased
while on the pill – particularly if a woman smokes. However, long-term use can
also have important benefits, like lowering the risk of ovarian cancer, colon
cancer and uterine cancer – not to mention unwanted pregnancy – so there’s also
a lot in its favor. If you’re very concerned about breast cancer, avoiding birth
control pills is one option to lower risk.


7. AVOID POST-MENOPAUSAL HORMONES

Post-menopausal hormones shouldn’t be taken long term to prevent chronic
diseases, like osteoporosis and heart disease. Studies show they have a mixed
effect on health, increasing the risk of some diseases and lowering the risk of
others, and both estrogen only hormones and estrogen-plus-progestin hormones
increase the risk of breast cancer. If women do take post-menopausal hormones,
it should be for the shortest time possible. The best person to talk to about
the risks and benefits of post-menopausal hormones is your doctor.


8. TAMOXIFEN AND RALOXIFENE FOR WOMEN AT HIGH RISK

Although not commonly thought of as a “healthy
behavior,” taking the prescription drugs tamoxifen
and raloxifene can significantly lower the risk of
breast cancer in woman at high risk of the disease.
Approved by the FDA for breast cancer prevention,
these powerful drugs can have side effects, so
they aren’t right for everyone. If you think you’re
at high risk, talk to your doctor to see if tamoxifen or raloxifene may be right
for you.


FIND OUT YOUR FAMILY HISTORY

Women with a strong family history of cancer can take special steps to protect
themselves, so it’s important for women to know their family history. You may be
at high risk of breast cancer if you have a mother or sister who developed
breast or ovarian cancer (especially at an early age) or if you have multiple
family members (including males) who developed breast, ovarian or prostate
cancer. A doctor or genetic counselor can help you understand your family
history of the disease.


DON’T FORGET SCREENING

Despite some controversy, studies show that breast cancer screening with
mammography saves lives. It doesn’t help prevent cancer, but it can help find
cancer early when it’s most treatable.  For most women, regular mammograms can
begin at age 40, but specific recommendations vary by age and risk.


IF YOU ARE AGE 40 – 44:

You can choose to begin yearly mammograms.  It is important to talk to a doctor
about the risk and benefits of mammograms at these ages.


IF YOU ARE AGE 45 – 54:

Mammograms are recommended every year.


IF YOU ARE AGE 55 OR OVER:

Mammograms are recommended every other year. You can choose to continue to have
them every year.

Clinical breast exams and self-exams are not recommended. But you should be
familiar with your breasts and tell a health care provider right away if you
notice any changes in how your breasts look or feel.


OTHER IMPORTANT RISK FACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER

Unfortunately, there are also a number of important breast cancer risk factors
that women have no control over. Knowing which ones apply to you can help you
understand your risk and do what you can to lower it. If you feel you’re at high
risk, talk to a doctor or other health professional. These can increase a
woman’s breast cancer risk:

 * Older age, especially 60 years or over
 * Family history of breast cancer
 * First menstrual period (menarche) before age 12
 * Menopause at age 55 or over
 * First childbirth after age 35
 * No children
 * Tall height (5’8” or taller)
 * Dense breasts
 * History of benign breast disease (like atypical hyperplasia


CONTACT

 * 800-600-3606
 * Email
 * Subscribe for Siteman Updates

 * Twitter
 * Facebook
 * Youtube
 * Pinterest-p


CAREERS

 * Washington University
 * Barnes-Jewish Hospital


LOCATIONS

 * Washington University Medical Campus
 * West County
 * St. Charles County
 * South County
 * North County
 * Illinois


Copyright © 2015 - 2021 All rights reserved.


About
  Back
* Why Siteman
* Mission, Vision & History
* Organizations
* Committees
* Contact
* Leadership
* Partnerships
Treatment
  Back
* Physician Directory
* Clinical Trials
* Patient Experience
* Siteman Psychology Service
* Survivorship
* Cardio-Oncology
* Lymphedema Surgery
* NCI Cancer Information A to Z
* Treatment Roles
* Cancer Types
    Back
  * Bladder
  * Brain
  * Breast
  * Cervical
  * Childhood Cancers
  * Colorectal
  * Esophageal
  * Gallbladder
  * Head/Neck
  * Kidney
  * Leukemia
  * Liver
  * Lung
  * Lymphoma
  * Multiple Myeloma
  * Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
  * Ovarian
  * Pancreatic
  * Prostate
  * Sarcoma/Rare Tumors
  * Skin
  * Stomach
  * Testicular
  * Thyroid
  * Uterine
* The Siteman Approach
    Back
  * Medical Therapy
  * Radiation Therapy
  * Surgery
  * Genetics and Hereditary Cancer
  * Cancer Imaging
  * Immunology and Immunotherapy
  * Pathology
  * Patient and Family Services
* Specialized Programs
    Back
  * Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapies Center
  * Gynecologic Oncology
  * Brain Tumor Center
  * Sarcoma
Visiting
  Back
* Guest Services
* Washington University Medical Campus
* West County
* St. Charles County
* South County
* Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital
* North County
* Illinois
* Siteman Cancer Network
* Cancer Care Clinic
* Barnard Health and Cancer Information Center
* Pharmacies
* Payment Information
* Volunteering and Contributing
* Patient Rights
* Patient Privacy
Prevention
  Back
* Your Disease Risk
* Preventing Cancer
* Risk Factors
* Screening
* Smoking Cessation
* Mammography
* Genetic Counseling
* Cancer News in Context
* Take Control
* Health Disparities
* Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities
* Community Outreach and Engagement
Research
  Back
* Significant Research Advances
* Learn About Clinical Trials
* List of Researchers
* Research Programs
* SPORE in Leukemia
* SPORE in Pancreatic Cancer
* Center for Genome Integrity
* Shared Resources (Cores)
* Clinical Research Resources
* Funding Opportunities
* Training & Education
* Community Outreach and Engagement
* Membership Information
Clinicians
  Back
* Physician Services
* Educational Programs
Give
  Back
* Siteman Advancement Office
* Gratitude
* The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital