Each October brings pink ribbons and fund-raising for breast cancer research. These 50 expert-approved habits may help reduce your risk year round.

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Try to Sit Less, and Stand or Walk More

 Sitting most of the day—in the car, at work, and at home on the couch—raises your risk of a growing list of diseases. Research from the American Cancer Society found that women who sit for six or more hours a day are 10 percent more likely to develop myeloma, ovarian, and invasive breast cancers than women who sit for less than three hours daily. The study authors recommend parking farther away from where you’re going, standing during conference calls and taking a one-to-two minute standing or walking break every hour. The study appears in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

 

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Get moving

“The exercise recommendations are similar for preventing all cancers,” says  Dr. Tran Vuong Thao Nghi, I specialization in Medical and Radiation Oncology(Senior Oncologist, City International Hospital). “We recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week, with two days of strength training mixed in,”

 

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Change the things you can

Family history can be a powerful breast cancer predictor and protector. If you have close relatives who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you’re at higher risk. Genes aren’t destiny, and there are steps you can take to lower your risk for breast cancer including eating a healthy diet, maintaining a normal weight, exercising and getting screened more frequently. “Diet and exercise are the way to go for breast cancer prevention,” says Dr. Tran Vuong Thao Nghi, I specialization in Medical and Radiation Oncology,(Senior Oncologist, City International Hospital).  

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Consider genetic testing

Some women who have a strong family history of breast cancer may undergo genetic testing and find that they test positive for the breast cancer genes—BRCA1 or BRCA2. For these women, risk reduction surgery—removal of the breasts—can dramatically reduce the chances of developing breast cancer, according to research published in JAMA.

 

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Get personal about screening

 Women who are at increased risk of breast cancer may need more aggressive screening such as mammograms starting at younger ages or a special breast imaging test called an MRI. Research in Clinical Cancer Research suggests that MRI scans twice a year instead of one annual mammogram may be more effective at detecting early breast cancers in young women who test positive for breast cancer genes, compared to mammograms alone. Discuss your personal risk factors with your doctor and come up with a protocol that works best for you.

 

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Take dinner early

People who ate dinner before 9 p.m. and waited at least two hours before going to sleep had a 20 percent lower risk of breast and prostate cancers compared with those who dinner after 10 p.m. or who eat and go to bed right afterward. No one is sure why this is, but going to sleep on a full stomach likely disrupts your circadian rhythms. Instead of deep, restorative sleep, your body is working hard to digest and metabolize your food, theorize the study authors. The findings appear in the International Journal of Cancer.

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Don’t panic

 It’s easy to hit the panic button when you notice a lump in your breast, but most of the time, the lump is caused by something other than cancer. Here are 7 times when a lump in your breast actually isn’t cancer.

 

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Do ignore these breast cancer myths

Mammograms cause breast cancer?! Nope—all experts agree this is silly, and it’s just one of many myths about breast cancer, and these myths can prevent you from doing what you need to do to protect yourself.

 

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Stay slim and trim

 Fat cells make the hormone estrogen and many breast cancers are fueled by estrogen, Dr. Cate explains. “In addition, a healthy weight is so important for the prevention of heart disease, which is still the number one killer of women in the USA.”

 

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Think pink 

October is the month where we start seeing pink ribbons popping up everywhere—These ribbons raise awareness as An Education in Pink: Breast Density & Cancer Awareness. Consider donating to a worthy breast cancer charity or purchasing products with pink ribbons on them—a percentage of the proceeds go to a breast cancer charity. Thanks to all of these efforts, breast cancer is on a list of diseases that may be cured within our lifetime.


 It’s important to check your breasts regularly because the earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of successful treatment. It doesn’t matter when you check your breasts, as long as you check them regularly. 

 Breast Cancer Screening Package at CIH

Tests included

Women

Age </= 40 

Women

Age > 40 

Medical consultation     
Comprehensive medical history & physical examinations    
Specialist consultation     
Diagnostic Imaging    
Breast Ultrasound    
Mammography/ or Breast MRI    
Total cost of the individual tests (VND) 820,000 1,660,000
Package Price (VND) 700,000 1,320,000

Check out our different Screening Packages for different needs 

For appointment or further service consultation, please contact:

  • Ms. Võ Thị Mỹ Liên: (8428) 6280 3333, ext. 8424
  • Ms. Nguyễn Thị Lệ: (8428) 6280 3333, ext. 8402

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