Research has given new light to preventing breast cancer.
The increasing number of women getting the disease can be fought with lifestyle changes, says breast surgeon Trevor Smith.
Without changes he predicts the figures will continue to escalate.
CANCER PREVENTION: Breast surgeon Trevor Smith has released a book with information about all aspects of breast care.
Through 12 years in the job Dr Smith has seen increasing awareness through October’s breast cancer awareness months and improved treatments, but the number of women being diagnosed with and dying of the disease hasn’t dropped.
Dr Smith says New Zealand has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in the world because of a similar lifestyle to the United States which leads the statistics.
Concern about the increasing diagnosis industry and lack of education about preventative lifestyle measures has prompted him to write a book covering all aspects of breast care.
"There is an increasing demand to fund expensive drugs and virtually no money is spent on promoting and improving lifestyle," says Dr Smith.
Figures from 2002 showed the rate of breast cancer in women in China was 19 per 100,000 people while in New Zealand it was 91.
Women from low risk countries who move here increase their chance of getting cancer because risk is based more on lifestyle than genetics.
He says only 5 percent of cancers are linked to genetics. World Cancer research shows 30 to 40 percent of cancer can be avoided by adopting the advice.
Hundreds of published studies identified risk factors which people can easily control and the challenge is to motivate people to want to change, Dr Smith says.
Healthy nutrition should be more plant-based and less processed and energy dense. A binge drinking culture contributes to the risk and alcohol should be limited to one drink a day.
He says he is not trying to promote elimination but moderation. Limiting alcohol is not a popular message, but drinking alcohol daily increases the risk by 10 percent.
"Every bit you do is an investment in your health."
From the age of 30 women should get an annual breast check and by the age of 40 be having mammograms.
The book, called Breast Care, was launched two months ago, providing a new approach presented in a positive way, he says.
It is available at bookshops for $30.
Information can also be found at www.thebreastcen tre.co.nz
Source: NICOLA WILLIAMS - Eastern Courier