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General Health Maintenance


  • 1. Maintain your ideal body weight.
  • 2. Participate in regular (3-4 times per week) aerobic exercise.
  • 3. Avoid exposure to tobacco products. Do not smoke. If you do smoke, seek assistance in quitting.
  • 4. Be moderate in the use of alcohol. For women, one drink per day is considered within acceptable alcohol consumption limits.
  • 5. Adopt a healthy diet which emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, and reduces the consumption of animal fat and beef.
  • 6. Prevent exposure to sexually transmitted diseases by practicing safe sexual behavior.
  • 7. Avoid excessive sun exposure. Do not get sunburned.
  • 8. Follow general health guidelines related to screening for other diseases such as cervical cancer and colon cancer.

Cardiovascular Health Maintenance

  1. Monitor your blood pressure regularly (it should be less than 120/80), and treat high blood pressure if it is found.
  2. Maintain your ideal body weight (your body mass index* should be less than 25).
  3. Monitor your blood lipid levels (LDL cholesterol should be less than 100; HDL cholesterol target: 50-60), and treat unacceptable cholesterol levels.
  4. Monitor your blood sugar periodically, and treat diabetes if it is found.
  5. Keep your waist circumference less than 32 inches.
  6. Participate in regular (3-4 times per week) aerobic exercise.
  7. Do not smoke! If you do smoke, seek assistance in quitting.

Bone Health Maintenance

  1. Participate in regular (3-4 times per week) weight-bearing aerobic exercise.
  2. Monitor your bone density: Ask you doctor for a baseline bone density test, Repeat the scan periodically. Treat bone loss aggressively: Take calcium and vitamin D after undergoing RRSO.
    Consider other medications, such as pamidronate, risedronate, tamoxifen or raloxifene, if your bone density continues to decline. Estrogen is also effective in the treatment of osteoporosis, but its safety for women who are at increased genetic risk of breast cancer is uncertain.
  3.  Do not smoke! Smoking can also increase the risk of osteoporosis. If you do smoke, seek assistance in quitting.

Breast Health Maintenance

  1. Consult your physician regarding breast self-examination, since all the women who participate in this study are at increased risk of breast cancer.
  2. Seek medical attention promptly if you detect an abnormality in your breast.
  3. Have a clinical breast exam by your health care provider twice a year.
  4. Undergo screening mammograms at least once per year.
Sourch National Cancer Institute

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