Over 13,000 women participated in a study which yielded some interesting information on what habits can increase or decrease your cancer risk . . . and by how much.
- In women with a family history of breast cancer, or “other factors”. . .Women who smoke for 35 + years have a 59% higher risk of developing breast cancer compared with those who never smoked. Smoking 15 – 35 years had a 34% higher risk.
- Colon cancer is four times higher among women with 35+ year smoking history and 7% higher for those who have smoked 15-35 years.
- It was noted, and not too surprisingly, that one pack per day of cigarettes for 35 + years has a risk 30 times higher risk of lung cancer than did women who never smoked.
- Are you a couch potato? Low level of exercise raises risk of endometrial cancer by 72%.
- Alcohol consumption was NOT found to increase cancer risk. (This means moderate alcohol consumption which is up to one drink a day.) This was shown to decrease risk of colon cancer by 65% compared with those women who did not drink.
Take home message? Don’t smoke. Or stop smoking. Exercise. Drink in moderation.
Hope this helps.
Dr. Leslie Greenberg's Blog 