Alcohol

Be careful about alcohol intake. The Department of Health recommends that women drink no more than 2 or 3 units of alcohol a day. (A small glass of wine (175 ml) = 2 units, a pub measure of spirits = 1 unit, a pint of beer/lager/cider = 2 units.) Current evidence suggests that all types of alcohol, including wine, beer and spirits, are associated with an increased risk in breast cancer.

Weight

Watch your weight. Being overweight or obese after the menopause increases breast cancer risk. 

It is also associated with other health problems e.g. high blood pressure and diabetes. If you are concerned about your weight, visit your GP for advice on maintaining a healthy weight.

See Ways to help maintain a healthy body weight for more information.

Excercise

Regular physical activity can help reduce your risk of breast cancer. This includes exercise, walking, housework, cycling, actively playing with children or gardening. Regular activity can help to prevent weight gain, which is known to increase breast cancer risk. It also thought that the more active you are, the more you reduce your breast cancer risk.

Regular exercise is good for your health in other ways too, reducing the risk of diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis. The UK Government recommends that people take part in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on five or more days a week.

For more information and advice on alcohol, weight and exercise please visit the NHS Choices website.