Healthy Habits

By NBCF team

Last updated on Feb 26, 2026

Medically reviewed on Jan 31, 2026

by: Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON-ONN-CG

Breast cancer risk factors

When it comes to breast cancer, there are some risk factors that you can’t control, such as your age and genetics. But there are other risk factors that are in your power to control. Although breast cancer cannot be completely prevented, taking control of these risk factors and adopting healthy habits can help reduce your risk for breast cancer.

What can I do to reduce my risk of breast cancer?

Adopting healthy habits can help reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. You can:

• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a risk factor for developing cancer in both men and women. Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce your risk of obesity and of developing cancer.

• Eat fruits and vegetables: Eating 3.5 to 5 cups of fruits and vegetables daily has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Browse NBCF’s collection of free cookbooks to incorporate healthy eating into your lifestyle.
• Stay physically active: Studies have shown that women who are physically active have a lower risk of breast cancer than inactive women. Try to move your body at least 20 minutes every day to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
• Do not smoke: Smoking and even breathing second-hand smoke is a risk factor for developing many types of cancer, including breast cancer. Eliminate smoking and second-hand smoke from your lifestyle to reduce this risk.
• Limit alcohol consumption: Frequent consumption of alcohol can increase your risk for breast cancer. The more alcohol you consume, the greater your risk.
• Schedule your screenings: Staying proactive about your health through receiving regular health screenings, such as mammograms, well-woman exams, and other screenings as recommended by your doctor, can help identify health problems in their early stages when they are easier to treat.