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Breast surgeon Dr. Gauri Bedi of The Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy.

Mercy Breast Cancer Surgeon Dr. Gauri Bedi Discusses "Second Breast Cancers" On WBAL-TV11's "Woman's Doctor"

Since breast cancer can strike a person twice, doctors said there are things you can do to lower your risk of getting the disease a second time.

A recent study done by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle looked at what women should do to avoid developing breast cancer a second time.

"The most important thing is if they have a hormone receptor positive cancer, they should take their anti-estrogen medicine," said breast surgeon Dr. Gauri Bedi of the Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy.

According to Dr. Bedi, many women don't take those medicines often because of the side effects.

"But there are multiple medications out there, and you can always work with your physicians that if you don't tolerate one medication well to switch to another medication," she said.

Family history increases the risk for a second breast cancer, but the study revealed that obesity, drinking too much alcohol and smoking increased the risk significantly.

Dr. Bedi noted that lifestyle changes could cut your risk in half, starting with a balanced diet.

"Combine that with regular exercise to slowly lose weight to get to a goal weight, which would be healthy and, you know, one doesn't have to completely abstain, but one shouldn't drink too much alcohol. Smoking — from any angle you look at — it's something that you shouldn't do. Even one cigarette is too much, I think," she said.

To learn more and to see Dr. Bedi's interview, click this link: http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/22121459/detail.html