An estimated 12,000 women in Ontario will develop breast cancer this year and one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. It is the most common cancer among women in Ontario. But it also has one of the highest survival rates of any cancer when detected early.
Regular mammograms can increase the chance of detecting cancer when it is smaller and easier to treat and before it spreads to other parts of the body. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer when detected early is almost 100 percent.
“The two most important factors in cancer are prevention and early detection,” says Dr. Anthony Bonifacio, radiologist and director of breast imaging at Niagara Health. “Women aged 50 to 74 are recommended to be screened for breast cancer every two years using mammography. If there is a problem, it is identified very early and treated accordingly.”
When it comes to cancer prevention, lifestyle choices play a role, according to Dr. Bonifacio played an important role.
“There is a lot of literature that shows the connection between increased cancer risk and alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of physical activity and too few fruits and vegetables.”
In Ontario, 83 percent of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women over the age of 50. If a mother, sister or daughter has breast cancer, a woman’s risk almost doubles. However, the disease only has a family history in five to ten percent of women with breast cancer.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Niagara Health urges all women, Two-Spirit, transgender and non-binary people who are eligible for a breast exam to schedule an appointment.
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