Breast cancer: Lose weight to lower your risk

Zee Media Bureau/Salome Phelamei

Being overweight doesn't just make you feel upset and frustrated. It can also have serious implications on your health. And one such ill effect of being obese is breast cancer.

Studies have linked obesity to breast cancer in women after menopause. Many studies have also linked BMI to breast cancer risk. However, BMI affects risk differently before and after menopause.

Here's is how you can reduce your risk of getting breast cancer by following a few tips while keeping you stay in shape:

• To maintain a healthy weight, it is important to exercise regularly – moderate to vigorous activity for 45 minutes, 5 times a week. More exercise is associated with an even lower risk.
• Vigorous physical activity such as jogging for 45-60 minutes, five days a week or more can reduce breast cancer risk slightly.
• Studies suggest regular less-strenuous physical activity, such as walking, may also lower the breast cancer risk.
• Try to keep your body-mass index under 25 ( you can use an online calculator to find your BMI).
• Eating a diet that’s high in vegetables and fruits, high in whole grains, lower in fat - especially saturated fats and low in alcohol.