October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nearly a quarter of a million women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Breast cancer is the most common cancer that is diagnosed in women, affecting roughly 1 in 8 women at some point in their life. However, if you make a few lifestyle adjustments and keep the following tips in mind, you may be able to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer:

Maintain An Ideal Weight – If you are overweight, you’ll naturally have more fat tissue. This fat tissue can increase your risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer as a result of rising estrogen levels. The American Cancer Society notes that obese or overweight women can greatly reduce their risk of breast cancer by losing 5-10 percent of their body weight. Losing just a little weight can go a long way in controlling your breast cancer risk.

Stay Active – Being active and getting regular exercise can help you live an overall healthier lifestyle, but it can also help reduce your risk of a number of different cancers, including breast cancer. Exercise can help you maintain an ideal weight, which we touched on above, but it can also reduce inflammation and improve your immune system, both of which impact your breast cancer risk.

Regular Screenings – Make it a point to see your women’s care provider for your annual physical and to schedule any preventative screenings as recommended by your provider. The CDC currently recommends that women over the age of 50 receive a mammogram screening every two years, although if you have a family history of the condition, your physician may recommend that you start screening at 40. Talk with your care provider to determine when you should start screening for breast cancer or make it a point to schedule your next screening if you are overdo. Again, screening can help to catch breast cancer at an earlier stage when it is most treatable.