How To Manage Breast Cancer Risk

How To Manage Breast Cancer Risk

Breast cancer can’t always be prevented. But your Northwestern Medicine care team can provide tools, guidance and support to help you understand, manage and lower your risk. Our goal is to provide the most personalized breast care in the region.

How To Manage Average Breast Cancer Risk

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, after skin cancer. If you have an average risk of developing breast cancer, you can maintain your breast health by:

• Follow regular breast cancer screening guidelines as recommended by your physician and the American Cancer Society.
• Maintaining a healthy weight by eating a nutritious, mainly plant-based diet and exercising. The American Heart Association suggests 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Talk to your physician about what lifestyle modifications are right for you.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.

Our experts will work with you to help you manage your breast cancer risk. Together, we will develop a plan tailored to your family and health history, lifestyle and preferences. This plan may include risk-reducing medications.

How To Manage High Breast Cancer Risk

The American Cancer Society recommends that women who are at high risk for breast cancer receive a breast MRI in addition to a mammogram. Ask your physician if this is right for you. This is the first step of care offered at Northwestern Medicine for people at high risk for breast cancer. Our experts will work with you to help you manage your breast cancer risk. Together, we will develop a plan tailored to your family and health history, lifestyle and preferences. This plan may include risk-reducing medications