In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to give you all some tips for staying as healthy as possible; making sure you are getting the screening you need and also ensuring these services are available to as many women in Boulder County, regardless of their insurance or pay brackets.
The overriding mantra of most healthcare professionals is that the best prevention method is early detection, which means knowing your family history and making a plan with your doctor that addresses your needs. The USPSTF recommends that women who are 50 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every two years. Women who are 40 to 49 years old should talk to their doctor or other healthcare provider about when to start and how often to get a mammogram. In Boulder County, we have several options for free or reduced-cost screenings.
Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center offers free breast and cervical screening through the Women's Wellness Connection and WISEWOMAN programs. More information is available at the Boulder Valley Health website.
In addition to regular screening, other prevention method suggestions echo what we already know about general longevity: eating a healthy diet with lots of good fats, plant-based options and limiting alcohol intake, all of which are great boosts for staving off all kinds of disease. Cruciferous and leafy green veggies have been specifically shown to have the greatest effect. Cruciferous friends topping the list are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts.
As well as dietary choices, getting regular exercise lowers risk and adds endorphins; win-win! Physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight, which aids greatly in the prevention of breast cancer. Most healthy adults should aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, plus strength training at least twice a week.
In Boulder there are endless choices for getting this kind of exercise - get outside! Walk, bike, run, jump rope in the park. For local strength training, we love Kondition Fitness and Mecha.
There are many ways to get involved in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but the National Breast Cancer Foundation is the cornerstone and often the best place to start if you want to donate or volunteer. As their website states, this month is about more than pink ribbons. It's about getting women access to the education, screening and support they need when they need it. This October, help women by choosing where your donation goes: education, screening, support or have NBCF direct your funds to the area of greatest need.
If you're feeling so inclined, the National Breast Cancer Organization website can help direct you to your donation location of choice.
And if you want to combine getting some good exercise as well as fundraising, you can sign up for the Not so Flatt Breast Cancer Awareness Run/Walk in Westminster on Saturday, October 28th with both 5k and 10k options available.