Breast Cancer Awareness Critical to Womens Health

Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in American women. As such, breast cancer awareness is critical to womens health.

The most important aspect of awareness is knowing and realizing personal risk factors. Age, race, family history, and environmental factors are a few of the biggest risks.

Preventive measures are also crucial. A low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables can prevent breast cancer, as can exercise.

One study showed that just 1.25-2.5 hours of brisk walking per week can reduce a woman's risk of breast cancer by 18 percent. Regular mammograms are also important for early detection purposes.

Women's Health And Fitness For Breast Cancer Survivors

The Pink program at Sea View JCC in New York is offering a program for women's health and fitness following breast cancer. Breast cancer survivors unite in the program to do aerobics, lift weights and stretch their bodies. The exercise class is designed specifically for these women to help them get back in shape after the long and arduous ordeal they have gone through. Chemo and radiation leave you completely weak and feeling drained. These classes bring back your strength and vitality. A fitness trainer with the group explains that if a person can maintain a healthy weight and a body mass index of under 25 they can reduce their risk of cancer reoccurance.