Tips for good breast health

By Mary Helen Hackney, M.D.

There are about 184,000 new cases of breast cancer a year in the U.S. in women and about 1,900 new cases in men. Here are some helpful hints for being proactive about breast health.

What to do:

• Know your family history.
• Do a self breast exam once a month one week after your period, not before. 
• Eat a good diet. 
• Exercise regularly. 
• Manage your weight appropriately.

What to avoid:

• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol in excess (more than one drink a day)

About the author
Mary Helen Hackney, M.D., is associate professor of hematology-oncology at VCU Massey Cancer Center. She specializes in the treatment of all stages of breast cancer and also teaches residents and health professionals about prevention, long-term patient management and survivorship issues.