As well as providing a platform for breast cancer charities to raise awareness of their work and of the disease, BCAM is also a prime opportunity to remind women to be breast aware for earlier detection.
Breast cancer is still the most common form of cancer among Canadian women, but there is definitely progress being made in its prevention and treatment. Here is a look at how the breast cancer scene has changed in the past years through stats and numbers.
General breast cancer-related numbers
▪ 1 in 9 is the ratio of women that are said to develop breast cancer during their lifetime.
▪ 22,400 is the number of women that are expected to be diagnosed with the disease in Canada in 2008 alone.
The good news
▪ 1999 is the year from which the rate of breast cancer incidence started to decline.
▪ 87% is the five-year survival rate for Canadian women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2001 and 2003.
▪ 25% is how much the mortality rate for breast cancer in Canadian women has dropped in the last 20 years.
▪ 1950 is the year since which breast cancer mortality rates are currently at their lowest.
Also interesting to know…
▪ Breast cancer is not only the type of cancer that is diagnosed most often in Canadian women, but it is also the most frequently diagnosed among women around the world.
▪ The rate of breast cancer incidence in Canada is among the highest across the globe.
Although better quality mammography, heightened awareness of the disease, and advances in the types of treatment available have contributed to an increase in breast cancer survival rates, it is still crucial to perform your monthly breast self-exam to get to know your breasts and be able to notice any significant changes.
Breast self-examination
While mammography and clinical breast examination are the most reliable methods of finding breast cancer, regular breast self-examination (BSE) helps you to learn what is normal for your own breasts and to recognize when something may be wrong.
What to look for when doing breast self-examination (BSE)
You are looking for changes in your breasts. First, you need to learn what is normal for your breasts. It may be normal for your breasts to feel a bit lumpy. You should check for any new place in your breast that feels thicker or harder than the rest of your breast.
Use a mirror
Always begin checking your breasts by standing in front of a mirror. Leave your arms by your side. Look at your breasts. Slowly turn from side to side. Are there any changes in size and shape from the last time you looked? Check for rashes or puckery skin. Look for any discharge from your nipples.
Arms up
Lift your arms above your head while still looking in the mirror. Put your hands behind your ears. Look at your breasts and under your arms. Lower your hands to your nose. Squeeze your palms together. Are there any changes?
Keep standing
Complete the following steps for both breasts. Use the opposite hand for each breast. Start just below your collarbone. Cover all of your breast, even the nipples. Hold the fingers of your hand together. Keep your fingers stiff and your hand flat. Use the pads of your fingers, not the tips. Bend your wrist to go over the curves of your breast. Keep constant contact and pressure with your skin. Make small circles covering the entire breast using one of the methods pictured below.
Grid method
Make small circles in straight lines starting just below your collarbone. Cover the area outlined by the box. Make small circles all the way across your breast. Go slowly. Now move your fingers down. Repeat the small circles back and forth across your breast.
Keep moving down until you are below your breast. You may need to make many circles to check your whole breast. Make sure you check your nipple. Hold fingers stiff. Bend your wrist to go under your arm. Complete these steps for both your breasts.
Circular method
Make small circles starting at the outside edge of your breast. Cover the area outlined by the circle. Make the small circles all the way around your breast. Go slowly. Now move your fingers in toward your nipple. Go around the breast again. The circle will be smaller this time. Keep moving in toward your nipple. You may need to make many circles to check your whole breast. Make sure you check your nipple. Hold fingers stiff. Bend your wrist to go under your arm. Complete these steps for both your breasts. After you cover the whole area of your breast, check under your arm and up to your collarbone too. Relax your arm by your side. Slide your hand under that arm. Make small circles like you did over your breast.
Make small circles in straight lines starting just below your collarbone. Cover the area outlined by the box. Make small circles all the way across your breast. Go slowly. Now move your fingers down. Repeat the small circles back and forth across your breast.
Keep moving down until you are below your breast. You may need to make many circles to check your whole breast. Make sure you check your nipple. Hold fingers stiff. Bend your wrist to go under your arm. Complete these steps for both your breasts.
Circular method
Make small circles starting at the outside edge of your breast. Cover the area outlined by the circle. Make the small circles all the way around your breast. Go slowly. Now move your fingers in toward your nipple. Go around the breast again. The circle will be smaller this time. Keep moving in toward your nipple. You may need to make many circles to check your whole breast. Make sure you check your nipple. Hold fingers stiff. Bend your wrist to go under your arm. Complete these steps for both your breasts. After you cover the whole area of your breast, check under your arm and up to your collarbone too. Relax your arm by your side. Slide your hand under that arm. Make small circles like you did over your breast.
Lie down
Lie on your back on a firm surface. Put one hand behind your head. Hold the fingers of your other hand together. Check both breasts again, using the pads of your fingers and bending your wrist to cover the curves of your breasts.
Large breasts
If your breasts are large, they may fold over on your chest. This fold may feel like a firm ridge. Do not panic. This ridge is normal for large breasts. Lift them up to check all parts for changes.
What to do if you find a change
Most of the time, the changes women find in their breasts are not cancer. If you do find a change in your breasts, call your doctor or clinic that day. Visit your doctor as soon as you can. Your doctor will be able to do tests to tell you what the change in your breast means. The sooner you have these tests the better.
A visit to your doctor will give you peace of mind if your lump is not cancer. And it may save your life if you need medical treatment.
BSE aids
The most effective way to find a change in your breast is by using your own fingers. You don't need a BSE pad or any other type of aid to examine your breasts. Despite what manufacturers may say, the Canadian Cancer Society does not endorse any BSE aids.
Lie on your back on a firm surface. Put one hand behind your head. Hold the fingers of your other hand together. Check both breasts again, using the pads of your fingers and bending your wrist to cover the curves of your breasts.
Large breasts
If your breasts are large, they may fold over on your chest. This fold may feel like a firm ridge. Do not panic. This ridge is normal for large breasts. Lift them up to check all parts for changes.
What to do if you find a change
Most of the time, the changes women find in their breasts are not cancer. If you do find a change in your breasts, call your doctor or clinic that day. Visit your doctor as soon as you can. Your doctor will be able to do tests to tell you what the change in your breast means. The sooner you have these tests the better.
A visit to your doctor will give you peace of mind if your lump is not cancer. And it may save your life if you need medical treatment.
BSE aids
The most effective way to find a change in your breast is by using your own fingers. You don't need a BSE pad or any other type of aid to examine your breasts. Despite what manufacturers may say, the Canadian Cancer Society does not endorse any BSE aids.
Want to learn more?
If you want to learn more about checking your breasts:
Ask your doctor or a trained health professional.
or call the Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333
If you want to learn more about checking your breasts:
Ask your doctor or a trained health professional.
or call the Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333
Breast Cancer: Path of Wellness and Healing (Breast Cancer.org)
Breast Cancer: The Path of Wellness & Healing weaves the intimate stories of hope and triumph from celebrities and everyday women with the superb insights of America’s finest cancer doctors and wellness experts.
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