What Women Need to Know About Turning Breast Cancer Awareness Into Action
Understanding what affects breast cancer risk can help women make informed decisions about their health. While some risk factors cannot be changed, others may be influenced through healthy lifestyle choices, and research suggests that more than 30% of breast cancer cases may be preventable.
To learn more about what women know about breast cancer risk and whether that knowledge leads to action, the American Cancer Society surveyed approximately 33,000 women enrolled in its Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). The findings revealed an important gap: many women are aware of factors that can affect breast cancer risk, but fewer are taking steps that may help lower their risk.
The Cancer Connections team spoke with Dr. Alpa V. Patel, Senior Vice President of Population Science at the American Cancer Society, about the survey findings, common misconceptions about breast cancer risk, and practical steps women can take to protect their health.
Cancer Connections: What prompted you to conduct this survey, and what were you hoping to learn?
Dr. Patel: We conducted this survey because we wanted to better understand how women think about breast cancer risk and prevention. Many women have heard messages about healthy lifestyles and cancer risk, but awareness is only one part of the picture. We wanted to know whether that awareness was translating into action.
What makes these findings especially interesting is that the respondents were participants in the American Cancer Society’ s Cancer Prevention Study-3, a group that may be more aware of health and cancer prevention information than the general population. Even so, we found important gaps between what women know and what they're doing. That tells us there is an opportunity to better understand the barriers women experience.
Cancer Connections: More than 30% of breast cancer cases are linked to risk factors people can change. What does that tell us about the opportunity women have to reduce their risk?
Dr. Patel: More than 30% of breast cancer cases are linked to risk factors that can be modified, which tells us there is a meaningful opportunity to reduce risk through everyday choices and behaviors. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, there are many things we can do to lower our risk. Maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, limiting or avoiding alcohol, and breastfeeding when possible are all associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.
What's encouraging is that these behaviors support overall health, not just breast cancer prevention. The most important thing is to focus on progress rather than perfection. Small, sustainable changes made over time can have a meaningful impact on long-term health.
Cancer Connections: One of the things that stood out was the gap between awareness of physical activity and actually meeting recommended activity levels. What did that finding tell you?
Dr. Patel: Many women understand that physical activity is important, but it’s not always about choice. Busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, work demands, health issues, and limited access to safe places to be active can all make regular exercise challenging.
The good news is that physical activity doesn't have to be all or nothing. Small changes can make a difference. Walking more, taking the stairs, or finding opportunities to move throughout the day can be meaningful steps toward lowering cancer risk and improving overall health. The goal isn't perfection. Every bit of movement counts. Finding realistic ways to make physical activity part of everyday life can be an important step toward improving health and lowering your cancer risk. Regular movement also supports heart health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.
Cancer Connections: The survey found that many women recognize alcohol as a breast cancer risk factor, yet many continue to drink. Why is awareness alone often not enough to change behavior?
Dr. Patel: Alcohol is a good example of why awareness doesn't always translate into action. Drinking is often connected to social events, celebrations, routines, and cultural norms. Even when people understand that alcohol can increase cancer risk, changing an established habit can be difficult.
Many people are also surprised to learn that even moderate alcohol consumption can increase breast cancer risk. The American Cancer Society recommends that it is best not to drink alcohol. For women who choose to drink, the recommendation is no more than one drink per day. Understanding this connection can help women make informed decisions about their health and identify areas where small changes may be possible.
Cancer Connections: Breastfeeding was the least recognized protective factor. What should women know about that connection?
Dr. Patel: Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer, but it was the least recognized protective factor in the survey. It’s important to recognize that this can be a sensitive topic, and for many women, breastfeeding is not possible even when it was their intention.
The key message is that breastfeeding is one of several factors that may help reduce breast cancer risk. There are many things we can do to lower our risk, and the more of these healthy behaviors we are able to adopt, the better. We want women to have information that helps them make informed decisions, not feel judged for circumstances that may be beyond their control.
Cancer Connections: The survey highlights opportunities to reduce breast cancer risk, but some women may feel discouraged because they've made healthy choices and still developed breast cancer. How should women think about risk reduction without feeling responsible if cancer still occurs?
Dr. Patel: This is such an important point. Risk reduction is not the same as prevention. Healthy behaviors can lower risk, but they cannot eliminate it entirely. Many women who develop breast cancer have done everything "right," while others with multiple risk factors may never develop the disease.
That's why it's important to think about risk reduction as a way to improve the odds in your favor, not as a guarantee. No one should blame themselves if they are diagnosed with breast cancer. Our goal is to empower women with information and options, not create feelings of guilt or responsibility.
Cancer Connections: What's the one message you hope women take away from these findings?
Dr. Patel: Awareness is an important first step, but the greatest benefit comes when knowledge is translated into action. This survey shows that many women already understand the factors that can influence breast cancer risk. The next step is helping women translate that knowledge into realistic, sustainable changes that support long-term health.
The choices we make every day may not feel significant in the moment, but they can add up over time. Even small steps toward a healthier lifestyle can make a difference, and it's never too late to start.
For women who aren't sure where to begin, the American Cancer Society's free Cancer Risk Assessment can help identify factors that may affect risk and highlight practical steps that support overall health.
Additional American Cancer Society Resources:
Reviewed by the American Cancer Society communications team.
