Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canada.
One in nine (11%) Canadian women are expected to develop breast cancer during their lifetime - this means by the age of 90. Breast cancer can occur in men, but is much more rare.
The incidence of breast cancer appears to be rising, probably due to better screening. Fortunately, cure rates are also rising. During the past decade, deaths from breast cancer have fallen by 20 per cent.
How breast cancer develops
Breast cancer develops in the milk-producing glands in the breast, or in the passages or ducts that deliver milk to the nipples. If left untreated, some breast cancers can spread into the surrounding tissue and other parts of the body.
Most cases are detected when a woman notices a lump in her breast or through routine screening with mammography. Nine out of ten lumps are not dangerous, but they should be checked with your doctor.
Be breast aware
You can help yourself as much as possible by being breast aware, reporting any changes in your breasts to your doctor and attending available breast (mammogram) screenings.
It is generally understood that mammograms are not as effective in pre-menopausal women because the density of the breast tissue makes it more difficult to detect problems. The average age of menopause is 50.
Breast cancer risk is linked to age
The risk of developing breast cancer is strongly linked to age – nearly three-quarters of cases occur in women over 65. However, a recent poll showed that six out of ten women are unaware of this fact.