ROCHESTER, N.Y. — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine said simple daily habits can help reduce breast cancer risk.
Many people believe breast cancer is mostly genetic, but only 5-10% of cases have a genetic link. For most people, breast cancer is caused by a mix of biology, hormones, environment and lifetime exposures.
These women at the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester execute the warrior-2 pose with ease. Each is a warrior in her own right, having battled the beasts of breast or gynecologic cancer.
Kim Toombs was encouraged to start yoga during her treatment. She said it helped reduce her fatigue. Research shows exercise like yoga can do more than help with fatigue, as it may reduce the risk of cancer returning, according to breast cancer surgeon Christy Funk.
“You can dramatically influence your health destiny through your choices and that is the heart of the let’s beat breast cancer dot org campaign,” Funk said.
Organizers of the campaign pointed to multiple studies showing four ways to reduce breast cancer risk:
- Choose plant-based foods
- Exercise regularly
- Limit alcohol and maintain a healthy weight
For breast cancer survivor Tonilee Masters, these changes became a way of life. She had a double mastectomy in January and underwent reconstruction last month.
“Friday was my clear date to go back to the gym I took two classes on Saturday,” Masters said.
Masters and others at Burn Boot Camp worked out Saturday to support the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester.
“This past saturday all those camps were donation camps and every donation was made to the breast cancer coaltion of rochester,” Masters said.
Her story shows that a cancer diagnosis does not have to end an active lifestyle and, for some, it can mark a new beginning.
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