Taking a proactive approach to breast health
A healthy lifestyle, early detection and screening, and being breast aware are the keys to breast health.
At Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation we seek to empower women to make informed decisions about screening and take practical steps to maintain breast health and reduce breast cancer risk.
Healthy lifestyle
You may be surprised to know that one third of breast cancers are preventable through diet, maintaining a healthier body weight and regular physical activity. While we are all working towards a healthier lifestyle most women are not aware of the link between healthy behaviours and breast cancer risk.
Every small step counts whether it is avoiding alcohol or limiting your intake, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy body weight, not smoking or reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals.
Early detection saves lives
Knowing when to screen and how often can be confusing for women but what shouldn’t be confusing is the evidence from many studies that demonstrates that mammograms save lives.
Screening plays an important role in women’s health and wellbeing. Advances in screening and treatment have led to a 42 percent reduction in mortality in the last 25 years. Despite the confusion in the media recently, all Canadian women should be able to access an organized screening program with a health care provider’s referral starting at age 40.
Be breast aware
Know how your breasts normally look and feel and look for changes regularly. While most changes will not be breast cancer, speak to a health care provider about any changes that concern you.
We are on the right track. Women diagnosed with breast cancer are leading longer and healthier lives than ever before. Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is the largest non-governmental funder of breast cancer research in Canada. These investments and investments of other breast cancer funders are having a significant impact on the lives of women. However, incidence rates have remained the same for decades. With one in nine Canadian women diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime ,there is more to do.
At Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation we believe that knowledge is power, and one of the most effective ways women can take control of their health is through access to resources that will help them make informed decisions. Your health is in your hands.