Breast Cancer Prevention Strategies Should Start Much Earlier in Life

A study published in the American cancer journal suggests that breast cancer prevention strategies should first begin in childhood and that, in adulthood, the priorities should be weight control and physical activity.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Approximately 227.000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and about 40.000 women die from it annually. The fact that one in every 8 women develops breast cancer during her lifetime, and that these rates continue to rise, is deeply concerning. This highlights how essential prevention is. As with many diseases, the most effective treatment for breast cancer is to prevent it from developing in the first place.

Several factors have proven effective in preventing breast cancer, including reducing alcohol intake, physical activity, weight control, a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruit and grains, breastfeeding, and the use of tamoxifen and raloxifene (chemoprophylaxis). However, simply knowing these factors and attempting to apply them is insufficient for effective prevention. Their priorities and appropriate timing must also be identified, along with an optimal prevention strategy. A recently published study examined factors that reduce breast cancer risk and the stages of life when they are effective, to establish prevention priorities. It emphasized that breast cancer prevention strategies should begin at a young age.

The study systematically reviewed and analyzed several previous studies on this topic. Its main points can be summarized as follows:

Regular physical activity and a healthy weight play key roles in preventing breast cancer. These factors are especially important given that approximately 60% of Turkey's population is obese or overweight and 70% has a sedentary lifestyle. One study found a substantial reduction in breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women who lost 10 or more kilograms and maintained that loss, compared with women whose weight remained unchanged. This sends an important message to middle-aged women: it is not too late to reduce their breast cancer risk. Studies also indicate that 1 hour of regular exercise per day can significantly reduce breast cancer risk. Therefore, avoiding weight gain and exercising regularly should be the highest priorities for breast cancer prevention in adulthood.

The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age, but the rate of increase is not the same throughout life. The risk rises very rapidly between puberty and a woman's first childbirth. It continues to rise afterward, but more slowly. Thus, the rate of increase in breast cancer risk is much greater during childhood and early adulthood. One study found that regular physical activity during adolescence reduced the risk of developing breast cancer later in life by 16%. This offers an important clue about the timing of prevention strategies: breast cancer prevention should begin much earlier in life.

In conclusion, the literature has identified several factors that help prevent breast cancer. However, their relative priorities at different stages of life and the optimal strategies for applying them have not been established. This study indicates that prevention should first begin in childhood and that weight control and physical activity should be the priorities in adulthood. These findings offer guidance for future studies.