A new study has found that by maintaining breast-healthy habits, chances of developing breast cancer can be cut despite a family history of the disease.

The researchers said that breast cancer in postmenopausal women can be avoided by engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight and drinking alcohol in moderation, if at all.

Study leader Dr Robert Gramling, associate professor of family medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York said, "Whether or not you have a family history, the risk of breast cancer was lower for women engaged in these three sets of behavior compared to women who were not."

Gramling wanted to analyze the impact lifestyle habits have on breast cancer risk because some women who have a family history believe that their risk is out of control.

U.S. women who were aged 50 to 79 were assessed for the conclusion by Gramling and 1,997 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during 5.4 years of follow-up.

It was noted that the risk of developing the disease was reduced by following all three habits among women with and without a late-onset family history.