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Reduce Your Risk

You can play a vital role in reducing your risk of developing *chest cancer.

Here are some important tips:

  • Get screened regularly according to recommended guidelines.
  • Stay active! Physical activity contributes to greater overall health.
  • Maintain a healthy weight: having a lower percentage of body fat can positively influence hormone levels, which decreases risk.
  • Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to one drink or less per day. If you can, avoid alcohol altogether.
  • Try to avoid second-hand smoke. If you smoke, try to quit.
  • Know your body! Talk to your doctor about any unusual changes to your chest.
  • Be aware of the risks involved with taking hormones.

 

*A note on terminology: In the trans men sections of this website, we refer to cancer in chest tissue as cancer of the chest, and to the tissue itself as chest tissue. This is because we recognize that many trans men and people on the transmasculine spectrum do not identify as having breasts, feel ambivalent about having breasts and prefer the term “chest” on its own. Although we use this terminology where appropriate, we also recognize the fact that some trans men do have breasts.