How can you help prevent breast cancer?

Prevention means lowering avoidable risk and finding suspicious changes early; it does not mean removing all possibility of cancer. Risk can be influenced by family history, inherited gene changes, age, hormonal factors, alcohol use, weight, activity and previous chest treatment. A family pattern does not confirm that you will develop breast cancer, and having no family history does not remove risk.

A clinician can review your personal and family history and decide whether earlier or additional imaging is appropriate. A mammogram is one screening option; breast MRI may be considered for some people with higher risk. New breast changes still need assessment rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

Keep physically active in a way you can sustain, aim for a weight that is healthy for you, avoid tobacco, and keep alcohol low or avoid it. If you use hormone medicines, discuss their purpose and duration with the prescriber instead of stopping them yourself.

Write down cancers diagnosed in close relatives, including the type and age at diagnosis. Ask whether genetic counselling or testing is suitable. Follow the screening schedule recommended for your age and risk profile, and learn the normal look and feel of your breasts so a new change is easier to recognise.

Arrange a clinical assessment for a new lump, a change in breast shape, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, spontaneous bloody discharge, or a persistent change in one breast. These findings have several possible causes and do not by themselves diagnose breast cancer. Seek urgent help for severe illness, rapidly worsening swelling, or difficulty breathing.

Ask: How does my family history affect my screening plan? Should I discuss genetic counselling? Which breast changes should prompt a prompt appointment? Would a mammogram, breast MRI or another assessment be useful for me?