Mrs. Green’s World is a platform that not only educates people about the health of the planet but about their own health as well. We are proud to partner with Tucson Medical Center which has been Tucson’s locally governed nonprofit regional hospital for more than 70 years. Because TMC is committed to empowering patients to be active partners in their care and has a robust wellness outreach program, we are going to be sharing TMC’s “Health Tip of the Month” to help you maintain your optimal health. June’s tip is all about maintaining optimal breast health. Women – we hope you will read it, assess your own risk and consider sharing with women you know and love – women of all ages. Men – hopefully you will take the time to read it and consider sharing it with the woman in your life! Needless to say, prevention is key.
HEALTH TIP OF THE MONTH
JUNE 2017
Tips for maintaining optimal breast health
By Michele Boyce Ley, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Know Your Risk
Every adult woman should determine their risk factors and discuss them with their primary care provider.
Common breast-cancer risk factors include:
• Family history
• Dense breast tissue
• Age and weight
• Alcohol and tobacco use
The Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium Risk Calculator is a respected online resource for calculating your breast cancer risk. Other ways to calculate your risk for breast cancer are through www.brightpink.org and www.nci.gov websites.
Reduce your risk factors
Modifiable or changeable risk factors include losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight, exercising four or more times a week and avoiding alcohol and tobacco products. Weight loss and healthy diet (like Mediterranean diet) can reduce the risk of developing cancer by more than 25 percent.
Get screened
Why do we screen for breast cancers? Breast cancer is curable! Survivability rates are greater than 85 percent when the cancer is found in early stages.
It is recommended that women ages 40 to 75 receive an annual mammography screening. For healthy women older than 75, it may still be a good idea to have a mammogram yearly or every other year.
Dr. Michele Boyce Ley is a fellowship trained breast surgical oncologist who practices with TMCOne and the TMC Breast Health Program. Dr. Boyce Ley has has always focused her practice on developing multidisciplinary care teams to provide the highest level of personalized surgical and medical care to her patients.