10 Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer Today

If you're tying on a pink ribbon to fight breast cancer this month, your first step in preventing the disease should start in your own home, research suggests.

Losing weight can be the key to staving off breast cancer, researchers say. Because fat tissue, known as adipose, creates conditions that can boost cancer-causing hormones, experts say getting healthy is key.

"After menopause, estrogen is synthesized by adipose tissue. The more adipose a woman has, the more estrogen she will make," said Dr. Marian Neuhouser, Ph.D, RD, a nutritional epidemiologist at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

"Adipose cells also synthesize inflammatory factors, which have been linked to breast cancer."

Most everyone knows someone impacted by breast cancer, but the actual diagnosis numbers are staggering. Each year, more than 200,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 American women will die from breast cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

MOUNT PLEASANT FITNESS GROUPS
Here's some good news: There are a plethora of ways to get active in your neighborhood, and it doesn't have to be expensive or intimidating.

1. East Cooper Walks
A group of more than 50 women who meet regularly for group activity. The participants encourage competitive running and walking, but they also engage in more leisurely group fitness events. Find out more.

2. Plum Mom's Club
These mom's meet regularly for group fitness events that often include children. Part of the Stroller Strides network, the women also have educational events for moms and children. Find out more.

3. Alternative Health Mixer
Healthcare providers and folks interested in alternative therapies and healthy living practices meet regularly to discuss innovative practices. Read more.

4. Charleston Zumba
Heard of Zumba? It's essentially hour-long fitness dancing sessions set to high-energy Latin music. There's a regular meeting at Moultrie Middle School. Learn more.

5. Mount Pleasant Run-Walk Club
Ready to start walking, but not sure you can keep up? The Mount Pleasant Running and Walking Club is for all ability and experience levels, from the beginner walker to the marathon runner. Get involved.

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES IN MOUNT PLEASANT
So while getting fit is important, most folks won't see progress if they don't change their eating habits. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources to help you get started.

1. Registered Dietitians, Nutritionists
All major health systems in the Charleston area offer help to overcome obesity and unhealthy eating habits. MUSC's Weight Management Center, and the Roper St. Francis Bariatric and Metabolic Services offer resources, including medical interventions, to deal with obesity.

2. Personal Trainers
There are a slew of personal trainers in Mount Pleasant. Here are two who have been featured on Mount Pleasant Patch: Tina Whetzel, CrossFit Mount Pleasant and Josh and Brian Durbin, Fitness Together Mount Pleasant. See a more complete list of Mount Pleasant Fitness Trainers.

3. Weight Watchers
This is not a paid endorsement, but many folks swear by Weight Watchers. Unlike other diet programs, it does not require the purchase of food, and it's not a program that eliminates entire food groups. Instead, it's all about moderation. It costs about $45 a month to take part. Find a meeting.

4. Overeaters Anonymous
A 12-step program with accountability, much like Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous has regular meetings and retreats in the Charleston area. Learn more.

5. Affordable Senior Fitness
With long-term contracts that lock in customers, gyms can be costly. But the Town of Mount Pleasant offers an affordable alternative for senior citizens. Membership is $100 annually at The Thomasena Stokes-Marshall Senior Center. Read more.