Lifestyle and risk reduction
In February 2008 Karin Michels - a prominent epidemiologist and
Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive
Biology at Harvard Medical School delivered a public lecture in
Auckland on breast cancer. She discussed her own research findings
on birth weight and breast cancer risk and also reviewed other
lifestyle factors.
One of her slides towards the end of the presentation was
entitled "Breast cancer prevention is not a remote possibility"
This amazing statement is in stark contrast to the message that
is so often made that "there is little that women can do to modify
their risk of breast cancer". It's significance was perhaps lost in
the use of the double negative and would have been more apparent if
phrased as
"breast cancer prevention is a distinct
possibility"
The slide stated that a 30 - 40% reduction in the risk of breast
cancer is possible simply by controlling obesity, limiting HRT and
reducing alcohol use.
This message should have made headline news but seems to have
gone unnoticed by the breast cancer advocacy groups and
reporters.
Of course it lacks the glamour of the discovery of a wonder drug
or miracle cure.
A 30 - 40 % reduction in breast cancer risk would be the most
dramatic improvement in breast cancer management this country has
seen!
Breast cancer risk increases dramatically within a Western,
first world, industrialised environment. In this sense it is
largely a lifestyle disease and I remain convinced that the
solution to this scourge will come from altering modifiable factors
including exercise, weight loss, diet, alcohol and exogenous
hormone use.
These simple measures that can be implemented with immediate
effect.
They require discipline and in some cases such as alcohol
consumption, a change in societal attitudes.
What an exciting prospect, that the start of a journey
towards risk reduction and prevention can begin
immediately.
We do not need to wait helplessly for some magic drug or
discovery.
The first step in a journey to better health that includes a
lower risk of breast cancer is within the grasp of everyone -
today!