Beauty and the Breast

A little knowledge goes a long way.

by Heidi Dvorak

As most of us know, October is breast cancer awareness month, and, as usual, there is a barrage of beauty buys that will designate proceeds to research. To do your part to help combat the disease, is it enough to just buy a few products? According to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, an estimated 40,610 women and men will die of the disease in the U.S. this year. Every penny raised counts.

In fact—from this month forward—make all your choices count: the foods you eat, the events you participate in, the products you purchase. Your life—and the lives of others—can be positively affected by your wise choices. To help lessen your odds of getting breast cancer, Laura Kruper, M.D., breast cancer surgeon at the City of Hope, in Duarte, California, imparts her knowledge about the latest research.

“Studies show that exercise can decrease the incidence of breast cancer,” says Kruper. “Women who started early benefited most, but those starting exercise at any time benefited. Women with breast cancer increased their survival odds by incorporating an exercise regimen after treatment. I tell patients to exercise at least 30 to 40 minutes a week, a minimum of three times a week.”

When it comes to alcohol, it’s best to cut it out completely. “The more you drink, the higher the risk,” she says. “If you’re someone who must have wine with dinner, I’ll say it’s okay to have one drink a day but no more. Limit drinks to two or three a week. Or none.”

It’s also best to maintain a healthy weight. “Increased body mass index has been associated with an increased risk,” she says. So follow Kruper’s diet guidelines: Increase fresh fruits and vegetables, fiber and grains; limit red meat intake, fatty foods, highly processed foods, sugar and artificial sweeteners. 

And for women with a family history of breast cancer, Kruper advises against taking hormonal replacement therapies (HRT). “The Women’s Health Initiative Study showed that HRT increased the risk of breast cancer by 10 percent for every five years of being on it.” she says. “When this study came out, many women stopped HRT, and a significant decline in incidence followed.”

Fewer hormone therapies, diet, and exercise—these are all manageable means of keeping breast cancer at bay.  

Heidi Dvorak is a freelance writer and editor who lives in Southern California.

Make every choice count with beauty buys that contribute all or a portion of sales proceeds to national breast cancer awareness organizations.

• Team Bra Barrette (pictured above) 
keeps straps in place and announces your commitment to the cause ($9.99, www.brabarrette.com).
  
  
• AHAs in Dermaquest Skin Therapy Glyco Hand and Body Cream keep the integrity of your skin—and conscience—intact ($41, www.dermaquestinc.com).
  
  
• Turn skin baby-soft with Surgeon’s Skin Secret Beeswax Grapefruit Moisturizer Stick ($9.95, www.jamarklabs.com).
  
  
• Double your pleasure with lip gloss and bronzer in Glo Minerals Pink Kit ($32, www.gloprofessional.com).
  
  
• Rose, jasmine and citrus fragrances will explode in your tub water when you drop in Ooohlala of Beverly Hills Sooo Pink! Shea Beauty Bombs ($20, www.ooohlalabath.com).
  
  
• Instill calmness at the day’s end with cranberry-and-pink-peppercorn essence of Hope, Courage and Faith Fragrance Set (jar, oil and sticks, $29.95, www.sweetgrassonline.com).