Real Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer

While there is no vaccine for breast cancer, there are things you can do to lower your risk. According to an American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) review of 954 clinical studies, researchers estimate that healthier lifestyle choices can reduce the breast cancer rate by 40 percent, eliminating 70,000 diagnoses each year.

Changing factors like being overweight or sedentary can make a big difference, says Alice Bender, R.D., nutrition communications manager for AICR. “Try to make this a family issue," she says. "If you want to increase physical activity, find something that everyone can be involved in. Include your children in food preparation. Each week try to do something different to help make the diet healthier.”