Preventing Tumours - 10 Things To Note.

Fermín Apezteguia

The health of women reaching menopause is principally threatened by three illnesses: cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and breast cancer. The document presented by the Spanish specialists in Amsterdam contains an innovative proposal to help reduce the number of women who develop breast cancer following the menopause. It is called chemoprevention, and forms part of a series of initiatives aimed at containing the advance of this disease.

The idea is to treat post-menopausal women who have a high risk of breast cancer with drugs. So who are the women in this risk group? Not, as one might expect, women whose families have a history of the disease, but those with other risk factors such as having had their first period at an early age, late menopause, a first pregnancy at an advanced age or a history of tumours. In Spain, the number of such women could be two million. At the moment, this post-menopausal treatment is still only an idea, although international studies are being carried out on its possible development. Advice

1. An adequate diet is very important. Avoid excess weight gain at this time. Experts advise the Mediterranean diet and the intake of 1,000 milligrams of calcium each day.

2. Physical activity. Walk every day, if possible.

3. Take vitamin D. Lie in the sun for 15 minutes each day. Consult your doctor about taking supplementary pills.

4. Don’t smoke. Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.

5. Cardiovascular illness is the principal cause of death after the menopause.

6. Check for breast tumours. Consult with your doctor.

7. Check for osteoporosis. Check for bone disorder.

8. Be positive. One should feel positive about the menopause.

9. Have an active sex life. A good relationship and the support of a partner helps enormously

10. Maintain one’s quality of life. This is the number one objective, and a key factor in getting through the menopause .