In 2009, an estimated 22,700 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada, 5,400 will die of it

 

An estimated 180 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, 50 will die of it

 

On average, 429 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer every week

 

On average, 104 Canadian women will die of breast cancer every week

 

1 in 9 women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, one in 27 will die of it

 

8 of 10 breast growths are non-cancerous

 

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 40 and 55

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

 

AGE – breast cancer can occur at any age, however changes of developing breast cancer increases with age

 

FAMILY HISTORY of breast cancer (mother, sister, daughter) or if mutations of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are present

 

FAMILY HISTORY  of uterine, colorectal or ovarian cancer

 

PREVIOUS breast disorders with biopsies showing abnormal cells

 

NO PREGNANCIES or first pregnancies after the age of 30

 

MENSTRUATION – beginning to menstruate at an early age and/or later than average menopause

 

DENSE breast tissue

 

FEMALE – being female is the highest risk factor for breast cancer

 

HARMONE REPLACEMENT therapy (estrogen plus progestin) for more than 5 years

 

 

***MOST WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER DO NOT HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY OF THE DISEASE OR  ANY OF THE IDENTIFIBLE RISKS.  RESEARCHERS ARE TRYING TO DISCOVER WHAT CAUSES BREAST CANCER, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE MADE PROGRESS THERE ARE STILL MANY UNASWERED QUESTIONS***

 

  

EARLY DETECTION IS KEY TO BEATING BREAST CANCER, PLEASE PERFORM YOUR MONTHLY BREAST SELF EXAM TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVAL!!!

 

* Based on data compiled from The Canadian Cancer Society, The Breast Cancer Society of Canada, Male Breast Cancer and Women's Cancer Network: gynecologic Cancer Information.