This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take a closer look at the connection between caring for your breasts and caring for your heart.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of prevention, early detection and knowing your personal risk.
But there is another important conversation worth having this month: heart health.
At first glance, breast cancer and cardiovascular disease may seem like two completely separate health concerns. They are different diseases, but they share some important connections. In fact, many of the everyday habits that support a healthy heart may also help lower the risk of breast cancer.
And for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, protecting the heart can become an especially important part of the journey.
There is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer. Some risk factors, including age, genetics, and family history, cannot be changed. But research shows that certain lifestyle factors can influence breast cancer risk.
The good news? Many of those same factors are also important for cardiovascular health.
Regular physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your overall health.
Exercise helps support cardiovascular fitness, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and healthy weight. It is also associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.
You don’t have to become a marathon runner to benefit. Walking, swimming, dancing, cycling, gardening, or any activity that gets you moving can be part of an active lifestyle.
The American Cancer Society recommends that adults aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity. Even small increases in activity can be a meaningful step toward a healthier lifestyle.
Maintaining a healthy weight is another area where heart health and breast health overlap.
Excess body weight, particularly after menopause, is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. It can also contribute to cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Rather than focusing on a number on the scale, think about sustainable habits: eating nutritious foods, staying active and avoiding gradual weight gain over time.
For some people, an occasional drink may seem harmless. But when it comes to breast cancer risk, alcohol deserves some attention.
Research shows that breast cancer risk increases as alcohol consumption increases. Alcohol can also contribute to high blood pressure, weight gain, and other cardiovascular concerns.
If you drink, talk with your healthcare provider about what is appropriate for you. From a breast cancer prevention standpoint, less alcohol is generally better.
We all know that smoking is bad for the heart. It damages blood vessels, increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, and can contribute to numerous other health problems.
Smoking is also associated with cancer risk.
If you smoke, quitting is one of the most meaningful steps you can take for your long-term health. And if you’ve tried before, don’t be discouraged. Talk with your healthcare provider about resources that can help.
The connection between breast cancer and heart health isn’t limited to prevention.
For some women undergoing breast cancer treatment, cardiovascular health becomes an important part of their care.
Certain cancer treatments, including some chemotherapy medications and radiation treatments involving the chest, can affect the cardiovascular system. Potential effects can include changes in heart function, blood pressure, blood vessels or heart rhythm. These effects don’t happen to everyone, and the risks vary depending on the type of cancer, treatment, and individual health history.
That’s why your healthcare team needs to know about your heart health before and during cancer treatment.
The growing field of cardio-oncology focuses on helping patients receive effective cancer treatment while also identifying, preventing and managing cardiovascular complications.
For women with existing heart disease or cardiovascular risk factors, having those conditions recognized and managed can be especially important during cancer treatment.
It’s easy to think of our health in categories: heart health, breast health, bone health, mental health, and so on.
But your body doesn’t work that way.
Your cardiovascular system, hormones, metabolism, activity level, nutrition, and overall health are interconnected. Taking care of one part of your health can often benefit many others.
That’s why a heart-healthy lifestyle isn’t just about preventing heart disease. It’s about giving your entire body the best opportunity to stay healthy.
This October, make a commitment to both.
♥ Move your body. Find physical activities you enjoy and make them part of your routine.
♥ Know your numbers. Keep track of your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, and discuss changes with your healthcare provider.
♥ Maintain a healthy weight. Focus on sustainable nutrition and activity habits rather than quick fixes.
♥ Limit alcohol. If you drink, understand that alcohol can increase breast cancer risk.
♥ Don’t smoke. If you smoke, ask your healthcare provider about quitting resources.
♥ Know your family history. Share your family’s history of breast and other cancers with your healthcare provider.
♥ Stay current with recommended screenings. Healthy habits can lower risk, but they don’t replace appropriate breast cancer screening.
♥ Tell your healthcare team about your complete health history. If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, make sure your oncology team knows about any heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or other cardiovascular concerns.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us to pay attention to a part of our health that deserves our attention. But it can also be a reminder that whole-person health matters.
The choices that help protect your heart may also help lower your risk of breast cancer. And if you are facing breast cancer treatment, protecting your heart can be an important part of protecting your overall health.
So, wear a pink ribbon. Know your breast cancer risk. Keep up with your recommended screenings.
And don’t forget the heart beating beneath it all.
Your heart deserves some love, too.
