Empower Your Health: Fitness, Breast Cancer Awareness, & Preventive Healthcare

Empower Your Health: Fitness, Breast Cancer Awareness, & Preventive Healthcare

Breast Cancer Prevention for Every Stage

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to help women of every age feel empowered about their health, we’re sharing some key research and prevention tactics. 

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women around the world. That’s why it’s never too early (or late!) to start thinking about your strategy for prevention, early detection, or recovery.

Here are some helpful ways to set yourself up for optimal health at each stage of life!

Breast cancer prevention in your 20’s 

Medical must-dos: First things first, every woman should learn how to perform a self-breast exam. Check out this article for helpful tutorials. 

Make it a habit to check at least once a month and attend your yearly medical exam. A great relationship with your doctor and regular blood work is key to understanding your body’s internal health and what steps you should take to achieve wellness. 

Fitness protocol: Your twenties are the perfect time to create lifelong habits for your diet and exercise that play a major role in your overall health, especially cancer prevention. 

Did you know that excess body fat has been linked to a higher risk of breast cancer? Maintaining a healthy weight at this age sets a strong foundation for fitness that will carry through to other stages of your life. Your body will thank you later for the habits you form at this age! 

Breast cancer prevention in your 30’s 

Medical must-dos: Knowledge is power: know your personal and familial medical history! Women who are at high risk for breast cancer should consider getting screened earlier than the standard age of 40. Why wait? Talk to your healthcare provider to plan ahead for your screening. 

And keep up with those regular self-checks and annual physicals! Stay the course and stay on top of your health. 

Fitness protocol: Our thirties are often a busy time of life, from career growth to family planning. Fitness routines help you thrive mentally and emotionally during high-stress periods by providing strong community, weight management, and hormone regulation. It’s a game-changer!

Plus, fitness during this stage supports your metabolism, reduces inflammation, and regulates insulin and estrogen levels, which greatly reduce your risk of many types of cancers, especially breast cancer. 

Breast cancer prevention in your 40’s-70’s

Medical must-dos: This is the time to prioritize your annual mammogram screenings. These screenings provide early detection of any potential cancerous cells and overall peace of mind - it’s worth it! 

Fitness protocol: This is the age when most women will go through perimenopause, followed by menopause (more on that topic in this blog). This shift in hormone levels can put women at higher risk of breast cancer as we age. Fitness can help offset that risk by increasing bone density and muscle mass, as well as balance out your hormone levels. 

Studies show that postmenopausal women who engage in regular physical activity have a 10% to 20% lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who are inactive. Just another amazing reminder that fitness does so much more for the body than just burn calories!
 

Breast Cancer, Fitness, and Preventive Healthcare: A Holistic Approach to Health

Breast cancer awareness isn’t just about early detection, it’s about taking steps right now to reduce your risk.

Fitness is one of the most holistic, proven, and beneficial ways to reduce your risk of breast cancer. And the beautiful thing is that it is NEVER too late to start exercising. Women who start exercising later in life still reap the cancer-preventing benefits of a fitness routine. 

What Is Preventive Health Care and Why Is It Important?

The most empowering approach to wellness is through preventive healthcare. This approach is when you commit to routines and healthy habits that significantly reduce your risk of disease, like breast cancer, and make concerted efforts to be as informed as possible. 

A healthy diet (limiting processed foods, alcohol, and sugar), a solid medical checkup and screening routine, and knowledge about your medical history are all great ways to practice preventive healthcare. The other main lifeline in your wellness toolkit is: fitness! 

What does fitness do for your health in the long run? Here are a few of the impressive medical benefits of exercise:

• Regulates hormones 
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• Helps manage weight
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• Boosts your immune system
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• Improves mental health 
   

Fitness After Cancer: Exercises for Recovery and Strength

Fitness after cancer diagnosis and treatment can play a huge role in your body regaining its strength and immune system. Plus, it can boost your confidence, reduce stress levels, and restore your sense of self. 

Fitness options for cancer recovery include gentle cardio options like walking, swimming, or cycling, in addition to gradual strength training to fortify your bones and muscles. Stretching, meditation, and breathing exercises are great additions to a fitness routine to support your body after cancer. 

The biggest tip we’d like to share is to take it slow and don’t do it alone. Give your body the grace and time to adapt. Don’t forget that at Jazzercise, we’re here for you every step of the way. Our dance floor is a safe space where you can build strength and feel support through every season of life. Within our community, we have many resilient breast cancer survivors who have danced with us while they beat their diagnosis.

“I credit Jazzercise for getting me through breast cancer treatment with stamina, community, and positivity. It made such a difference that I became an instructor to share the joy and power of dance!” -Kelly T.

Whether you’re just starting to get serious about your health or need a reminder, Jazzercise has been trusted by women around the world for 55 years to support and enhance every life stage. 

Ready to mix preventive care with fun fitness? Join us for a dance cardio and strength training class at one of our studios or online. Here’s to raising awareness this month and empowering our community to take action for their health!