AWARENESS

Breast Cancer Facts

The Canadian Cancer Society says that 75 to 80 per cent of all breast cancers occur in women who have no other risk factors beyond being a woman.

• Each year, more than 18,000 Canadian women will develop breast cancer.
• Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. It rarely affects men, but the survival outcome is worse for men, probably because the signs are overlooked.
• Because it tends to occur earlier in life than other cancers and other major causes of death, such as heart attacks and strokes, breast cancer has been shown to be the greatest cause of years of life lost by Canadian women.

Major risk factors

• Being a woman
• Increasing age, especially beyond 50
• Previous breast cancer
• Strong family history of breast cancer (mother, sister, daughter)

Minor risk factors

• Reproductive factors such as age at menarche and menopause, age at first pregnancy and hormone use.
• Diet and obesity
• Alcohol
• Some forms of breast disease

Breast self-examination

Breast self-examination is not as reliable as mammography or physical examination in finding breast cancer. But doing it regularly helps you learn what is normal for your breasts, and then you will be able to notice any changes.

A booklet from the Canadian Society (742-3823 in Peterborough) outlines the procedures for breast self-examination.

Source, Canadian Cancer Society 1-888-939-3333

We have permission to include the above material taken from an article by Gary Ball published in The Examiner April 27, 2000

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