Even with a family history of breast cancer breast healthy behavior pays off

Whatever the genetic disposition for breast cancer, epigenetic influences—conduct and environmental factors that modify gene expression—are often decisive. A study just published in the journal Breast Cancer Research offers further evidence that those with a family history of breast cancer can act effectively to reduce the risk:

"A family history of later-onset breast cancer (FHLBC) may suggest multi-factorial inheritance of breast cancer risk, including unhealthy lifestyle behaviors that may be shared within families. We assessed whether adherence to lifestyle behaviors recommended for breast cancer prevention--including maintaining a healthful body weight, being physically active and limiting alcohol intake--modifies breast cancer risk attributed to FHLBC in postmenopausal women."

The authors analyzed breast cancer outcomes in relationship to lifestyle and risk factors collected by questionnaire of 85,644 postmenopausal women into the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study.

"The rate of invasive breast cancer among women with an FHLBC who participated in all three behaviors was 5.94 per 1,000 woman-years, compared with 6.97 per 1,000 woman-years among women who participated in none of the behaviors. The rate among women with no FHLBC who participated in all three behavioral conditions was 3.51 per 1,000 woman-years compared to 4.67 per 1,000 woman-years for those who participated in none."

The data showed benefit for women both with and without a family history of breast cancer as they state in their conclusion:

"Participating in breast healthy behaviors was beneficial to postmenopausal women and the degree of this benefit was the same for women with and without an FHLBC."

And we have evidence to suggest that if breast healthy behaviors were to include such important factors and blood sugar and insulin management, healthy hormone regulation, metabolic and other components of the functional medicine approach the outcomes would further improve.