Did you know that 50% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have none of the common risk factors linked to the disease (e.g., age, obesity, family history or never having had children)? Shockingly, only 10% of women with breast cancer have a family history of the disease.
Experts say that the disease is likely caused by other factors including environmental toxins and unhealthy lifestyle choices (e.g., eating processed foods, a sedentary lifestyle, using skincare and cosmetics that are filled with chemicals, etc.).
In conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, double board-certified anti-aging/regenerative and family medicine practitioner Yeral Patel, MD, who serves as medical director and founder of Perfect YOUth in Newport Beach, says that you can reduce your chances of developing breast cancer by adopting certain lifestyle changes:

• Exercise for 30 minutes a day-- just enough to break a sweat. Doing so has proven to reduce your chances of developing breast cancer by 20%
• Avoid processed foods (anything wrapped in cellophane, cured meats, etc.) because they increase your estrogen metabolite load, thus increasing your chances of developing breast cancer
• Eat more broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage. The sulforaphane found in this group of veggies helps get rid of cancer-causing estrogen metabolites
• Limit your caffeine, alcohol, soft drink and sugary drink intake to reduce and/or limit your estrogen metabolites load
• Avoid skincare, hair and make-up products that contain parabens, phthalates and sulfates that have been proven to cause hormonal imbalances leading to breast cancer.

“Breast cancer has taken far too many lives and disrupted the lives of so many families,” said Patel. “Instead of waiting for a diagnosis to take action, these preventative steps are a proactive way for us to take control.”
Patel is board certified in anti-aging/regenerative medicine and family medicine, Patel is founder and medical director of Perfect YOUth in Newport Beach