Quick And Easy Steps to Prevent Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are some steps women can take to lower their risk.

October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Some 1,170 Maine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. 180 of those women will die as a result.

Breast cancer is near and dear to my heart, as my paternal grandmother died from the disease before I was born. I never got the chance to know someone that I have heard great things about because of this horrible disease that could have been prevented.

There are several steps women can take to lower their risk of breast cancer such as:

• Eating more fruits and veggies (Stuff that I LOVE anyway!)
• Regular exercise (I know we all dread it, but it is necessary.)
• Regular screening (Especially if you have a family history.)

These are three really easy steps to take, and they just might save your life! Don't wait until it's too late, early detection saves lives!

If you're not sure where to start, help is available through the Maine CDC Breast and Cervical Health and Colorectal Cancer Control Programs on the Maine.gov site or by calling 1-800-350-5180 or 1-207-287-8068.