For most women, a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and avoiding alcohol is the best way to minimize the risk of developing breast cancer. Research studies continue to identify factors that are associated with an increased or decreased risk of developing the disease, but there is no single set of actions that will cause or prevent breast cancer. Women should work with their doctor to determine their personal risk factors and how to best address them.

Women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer may be able to take the drug tamoxifen to reduce their risk. However, tamoxifen can increase the risk of developing blood clots, endometrial (uterine) cancer, and possibly cardiovascular disease, so the decision to take the medication needs to be weighed carefully. Your doctor can help you to assess the risks and benefits of such treatment.

For those women who have the gene mutation (BRCA-1 and BRCA-2) frequently associated with breast cancer, prophylactic mastectomy is an option. Women electing this option choose to have both breasts removed before developing cancer rather than run the high risk of developing the disease later in their lifetime. Studies have shown that such surgery can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by approximately 90%. Other women elect to have a prophylactic mastectomy on their cancer-free breast after developing cancer in the other breast. Your doctor can best advise you if you are considering prophylactic mastectomy.