Over the past few years, the prevalence of breast cancer has significantly increased in almost all Asian countries and India is no exception. In fact, in India, the malignancy has become more common than cervical and oral cancer. Experts specialising in oncology treatment in Pune suggest that one out of 28 women in our country are likely to develop breast cancer, and 1 woman is diagnosed with the condition, every 4 minutes.

As we all know, breast cancer is a malignancy, marked by the abnormal growth and multiplication of malignant cells in the body. These are a result of undesired DNA mutations, which may be genetic or triggered by a variety of different reasons. Lack of awareness happens to be one of the major factors that have been responsible for cancer-related mortality, as most women, being unaware of the symptoms, tend to ignore these and take the signs for granted.

Luckily, there are certain ways in which you can bring down the risks of breast cancer. We have enlisted some of these in this blog, with the help of the experts from the leading oncology treatment Hospital in Pune.

Shed those extra pounds - Being overweight is one of the major risk factors of breast cancer in women who have hit menopause. Hence it is very important to keep your weight under check as you age. Make sure your body mass index does not cross 25.

Eat what benefits you - Be very particular about what you eat. Embrace diets that are rich in proteins and avoid those loaded with refined carbs. Choose fish and white meat over red meat. Take whole grain products, which include bread, pasta etc. This will help you to keep your weight under check, which naturally lowers the risks of breast cancer.

Indulge and physical activities - It's never too late to start an active life. Taking part in physical activities and staying active can bring down the risks of breast cancer by 10 per cent. You do not need to spend hours in the gym or drain yourself. Just 30 minutes of walk, at least 5 days in a week, is good to keep you going.

Watch your alcohol intake - Excessive alcohol consumption has been associated with an increased risk of various malignancies, including breast cancer. It is very important to limit your alcohol intake and drink in moderation. It doesn't matter what type of alcohol you drink, 1 drink per day is enough.

Don't go for hormone replacement therapy - Many women take hormone therapy for managing the symptoms of menopause. Well, it might help you with your menopause, but there are other aspects that you simply can't, and shouldn't ignore. Avoid hormonal supplements that contain progesterone and do not continue the therapy for more than three years. If you think that bioidentical hormones, hormonal creams and gels are safer than oral supplements, you might need to reconsider that thought.

Avoid smoking - Experts from the best Hospital in Pune suggest that smoking can elevate the risks of a wide range of malignancies like lung and breast cancer. Hence it is better to get rid of the habit before it's too late.

Go for regular screening - Regular screening can help to detect breast cancer in an early stage and make it possible to treat the malignancy effectively. This is especially important for women who lie in the risk category. You can also conduct regular self-examinations to look for any abnormality or change in your breasts. This can be done while taking a shower or while simply lying on the bed. Cancer screening is offered at all the best oncology treatment hospitals in Pune, including Jupiter Hospital.