The link between age at the onset of menstruation and breast cancer risk has been well established. Studies show that women who begin their periods before age 12, as compared to women who started their periods at age 14 or older, have a 20% increase in risk.
But does this mean every woman who began her period at a younger age should fret about getting breast cancer? Absolutely not! Remember, the age of menstruation is just a small factor contributing to a woman’s overall risk of getting breast cancer.
Obviously, adult women cannot do anything about this factor, but young girls can. Regular exercise can help delay the start of menstruation. Encourage your young daughters, nieces and granddaughters to embrace an active lifestyle. Make exercise fun and be a good role model. If you are committed to regular exercise, your young female relatives are more likely to do the same.
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