The two greatest risks for getting breast cancer are:
 Being a woman
 Getting older
African American women are more likely than all other women to die from breast cancer. Some reasons for this may include not being able to get health care and not following-up after getting abnormal test results. Another reason may be the biological differences between the cancers that attack black women and white women. Black women are more likely to get breast cancer at a younger age, and their tumors tend to be more aggressive and harder to treat.
Physical activity
• Build physical activity into your daily routine. All you need is moderate (where you break a sweat) activity — like brisk walking for 30 minutes a day.
• Do whatever physical activity you enjoy most that gets you moving.
• After exercising, think about how good you feel about yourself and your body. Use that feeling to motivate you the next time you’re thinking about exercising. If you are already physically active, keep up the good work!
• Physical activity may help lower your risk of breast cancer because exercise lowers estrogen levels, fights obesity, lowers insulin levels and boosts the function of immune system cells that attack tumors.
Weight control
• Gaining weight after menopause increases a woman’s risk for breast cancer.
• Weight gain of 20 or more pounds after the age of 18 may increase your risk of breast cancer.
• If you have gained weight, weight loss may lower your risk of breast cancer.
Nutrition
• Eat fruits and vegetables. Strive to eat at least five servings per day.
• Eat whole-grains, including whole-grain breads and cereals.

• Eat fewer high fat foods and sweets.
• Take a daily multivitamin with folate.
 Get plenty of calcium. Your body needs at least 1000 mg each day. You can get it from low-fat milk or yogurt, fortified fruit juices, spinach, kale or calcium tablets.

Eliminate alcohol.
Emotional Health
• Do things that make you happy and that bring balance to your life. Pay attention to yourself and your needs. Go to the library and pick out a novel. Take a walk, enjoy a hobby, write in a journal, have coffee with a friend.
• Have faith in yourself. Many things can help you be healthier and feel better about yourself. Meditation or prayer can help you gain inner peace — in spite of what is going on in your life.
Don’t smoke
• If you don’t smoke cigarettes, don’t start. You have done your body a world of good by avoiding tobacco.
• Smoking has been linked to higher risks of many types of cancer. There are health benefits from quitting at any age. And after five years of being smoke-free, the risk of developing diseases as a result of having smoked goes down.
Breast self-awareness
• Make healthy lifestyle choices.
• Have a breast exam by a health professional at age 20 and at least every 3 years until age 40, then every year after that.
• Have a mammogram at age 40 and then every year after that.
Free Screenings for Women!!
Breast and Cervical Control Program (BCCCP)
• Includes: Clinical breast exam, Mammogram, Pelvic exam, Pap test, and follow-up care.
• If you are age 40 and older, do not have HMO insurance or Medicare B, and meet income guidelines, you may be eligible to receive these services.

Call: Ingham County Health Department, (517) 887-4364
For more information on breast health go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, http://ww5.komen.org/
Warning Signs of Breast Cancer:
A change in the look or feel of the breast:
 A change in the size or shape of the breast.
 A lump or thickening in the breast, the area surrounding the breast or the underarm.
 A warm sensation in the breast.
A change in the look or feel of the nipple:
 A nipple turned inward or sunken into the breast.
 The shape of the nipple becomes irregular.
 A rash on the nipple or areola.
 Nipple tenderness, increased sensitivity or pain.
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Nipple discharge:
Blood or fluid other than breast milk secreted from the nipple.
A change in the look or feel of the skin on the breast, nipple or areola:
 Dimpling of the skin on the breast (similar in texture of an orange rind).
 The appearance of irritated, red, scaly or swollen skin on the breast, nipple or areola.
Breast pain:
 Although breast pain is usually associated with benign breast conditions rather than breast cancer, it can be a symptom of either condition.
Information retrieved from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, http://ww5.komen.org/