Does PCOS or PCOD Increase Breast Cancer Risk? Here's What You Need to Know
These days, women are facing hormonal problems due to a lack of nutrients in their diet, irregular lifestyles, and excessive consumption of junk and processed food. PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and PCOD (Polycystic Ovary Disease) are two common problems related to hormonal imbalance in women.
Hormonal problems like PCOD and PCOS can cause irregular periods, a lack of ovulation, and other physical changes. Women suffering from these hormonal problems have many questions related to conceiving pregnancy, breast cancer, and cervical cancer.
Some time ago, during a program organized for women, women suffering from PCOS and PCOD repeatedly asked the doctor the same question: whether they are at a higher risk of breast cancer due to this. In this article, we will try to find the answer to this question.
Does PCOS/PCOD increase the risk of breast cancer?
According to the doctor, the level of estrogen in the bodies of women suffering from PCOS/PCOD increases irregularly. When the level of estrogen increases in the body of women, it can increase the risk of breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer in women suffering from PCOS/PCOD increases even more when they also suffer from excessive weight, obesity, or irregular periods.
Oncologists say that not every woman suffering from PCOS and PCOD is at risk of getting breast cancer. It also depends on age, lifestyle, and family history. Women who are suffering from PCOS and PCOD and have a history of breast or any other type of cancer in their family must get a cancer test done on the advice of a doctor.
Symptoms of PCOS :
Periods are not regular or do not last for a long time
Unwanted hair growth on face and body (hirsutism)
Small cysts are seen in the ovaries in ultrasound
Sudden weight gain
Insulin is not produced properly in the body
Extreme mood swings
Symptoms of PCOD :
Excessive bleeding or delay in periods
Obesity or sudden weight gain
Oily skin and pimples on the face
Physical lethargy and fatigue
Difficulty in conceiving pregnancy
What to do to prevent breast cancer in PCOS/PCOD?
The doctor says that women suffering from PCOS/PCOD should adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent breast cancer. An adequate amount of fresh fruits, whole grains, and healthy protein should be included in the diet.
- Weight gain can increase hormonal imbalance and also increase the risk of cancer. So try to control your weight.
- To reduce mental and physical stress, do meditation and various types of yoga daily.
- To balance hormones, take medicines on the advice of a doctor. If you want, you can also include herbal tea and natural products in your diet.
- To identify breast cancer, do breast self-examinations regularly. On the advice of the doctor, get mammography and other necessary tests done once a year.