Breast cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women. Approximately 1 in 9 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer over the course of their lifetime (age 90); and 1 in 28 women will die from this disease.
What is breast cancer? Breast cancer often starts in breast tissue such as ducts and lobules. Normally, the body produces millions of cells to replace those cells which have been damaged or have died – thereby keeping the body healthy. Sometimes however, cells in one part of the body, in this case the breast, begin to grow and divide out of control. They outlive normal cells, eventually forming a cancer. If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it is called metastatic breast cancer.
In 2010, approximately 445 Canadian women per week were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 100 Canadian women per week died from the disease. Since 1986, the breast cancer death rate has fallen by more than 30% and is currently the lowest it has been since 1950. The significant improvement in survival rates for women with breast cancer since the mid-1980s is likely a result of improvements in screening and advances in treatment.
This Facebook page will help you learn more about breast cancer, provide you with issues to discuss at your next medical appointment and get you started on your Life Plan for Breast Health. Your Life Plan should include: