1. Soy may increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence – Wrong. A study of 9,500 U.S. and Chinese breast cancer patients who ate soy daily said that eating soy may have little to do with the risk of breast cancer recurrence, showing that women who ate at least 10 mg of soy isoflavones daily had a 25% reduction in the chance of recurrence and a slight reduction in all-cause mortality and breast cancer-specific mortality. 2. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer – Correct. Researchers at Dana-Farber found that women who drank one alcoholic beverage per day may increase their risk of breast cancer. When weighing the benefits and risks of alcohol consumption, women should consider the effects of alcohol on potentially increasing breast cancer risk. Studies have shown that even moderate alcohol consumption by some women may increase their risk of breast cancer. Data from more than 105,000 women show that women who drink three to six glasses of wine a week have a 15 percent increased incidence of breast cancer. But the occasional cocktail or glass of wine can be beneficial. 3. Fertility treatments increase the risk of breast cancer in women – wrong. According to a recent NIH study, fertility treatment with Clomid and follicular estrogen (FSH) to induce ovulation did not significantly increase the risk of breast cancer in women. However, the study did reveal a difference in cancer risk regardless of whether the patient became pregnant on the basis of fertility treatment. So far, for women, the study has shown that women who take fertility drugs (but are not pregnant) have a slightly lower risk of breast cancer compared to women who are at least ten weeks pregnant. In these cases, the risk of breast cancer for women is only slightly higher but still not higher than for women in general. 4. The use of deodorant can increase the risk of breast cancer – Wrong. According to the NCI, there are no conclusive studies that link the use of deodorant to breast cancer. Some studies suggest that aluminum-containing compounds (often used in antiperspirants) may be absorbed through the skin and cause estrogen-like effects, which can increase the risk of breast cancer. Other studies have shown no link, and NCI believes further research may be needed. 5. The larger the baby, the higher the breast cancer risk – probably correct. New research suggests that mothers with larger babies have more than twice the risk of breast cancer as mothers with smaller babies. Researchers say that conceiving a heavier baby may change the hormonal environment during pregnancy, which can lead to breast cancer later. They found that women who had heavier babies had unusually high ratios of estrogen to anti-estrogen during pregnancy. The higher the level of estrogen, the higher the risk of breast cancer. Mothers with larger babies should not be alarmed, as more research is needed. The important thing is that women should maintain a good diet and weight level before, during and after pregnancy. The best way to reduce the risk of breast cancer is for women to maintain good communication with their primary care physicians, doctors and nurses. But overall, the best way for a woman to reduce breast cancer is to get enough exercise, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, drink moderately, get a mammogram once a year at age 40 or older, and see a doctor if there are any significant changes.”