Dear Alexa,

While it is true that having one or more, particularly first-degree (mother, sister, daughter) relatives diagnosed with breast cancer increases your risk, it still doesn’t mean that you will develop breast cancer. Consider the difference of probable stress of these two statements: “Because my grandmother and aunt had breast cancer, I will probably have it, too,” and “Just because my grandmother and aunt had breast cancer, doesn’t mean that I definitely will.” The first statement, which is not really factual, will generate a lot more anxiety than the second statement, which is based in fact. The point here is that there are things that are potentially within your control, like your thinking, which can help reduce your stress level about this issue. The truth is that even if you are unfortunate enough to ever get breast cancer, it would still be to your advantage to live life now and in the future to its fullest.

While there are no guaranteed ways to prevent breast cancer, you can also reduce some known risk factors by avoiding excessive weight gain or obesity, exercising regularly, and minimizing the use of alcohol. Studies also suggest that women who breast-feed for a long period of time reduce their risk of breast cancer.

Most experts agree that it is also important to have regular medical check-ups that include a clinical breast examination and when recommended by your doctor, mammograms.