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Breast Cancer FAQ

How can women protect themselves against breast cancer?

Early detection is a woman's best defence against breast cancer. The cause of breast cancer is unknown and little can be done to prevent it. There are several studies looking at the role of designer drugs (tamoxifen) and dietary prevention (low-fat) diets in preventing breast cancer.

Does breast cancer occur in men?

Breast cancer can occur in men, but its relatively rare; it accounts for fewer than one per cent of breast cancers.

Is pain a sign of breast cancer?

Unusual sensations in the breasts should be checked out by a physician. Usually, pain is not a sign of breast cancer. Statistics show that pain in the breast is more often associated with benign conditions.

Should a woman ever have a preventative
mastectomy, that is, have her breasts removed to reduce the risk of breast cancer?

This is a very controversial area. Occasionally, women who are considered to be at very high risk for breast cancer because of known genetic factors are advised to have a preventative
mastectomy. More often, however, high-risk women are closely monitored by their physicians. If a preventative mastectomy is being considered, the woman and her physician must carefully assess the situation before making a decision.

Can injury to the breast cause breast
cancer?

No connection has been found between breast cancer and breast injury. In some cases, an injury to the breast may make an existing tumour more apparent.

Do we know the cause of breast cancer?

The cause of breast cancer is unknown. Early detection is the best way of saving lives.

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

The major risk factors are:

• being a woman;

• increasing age, especially women over 50;

• previous breast cancer;

• strong pre-menopausal family history of breast
cancer (mother, sister, or daughter).

The minor risk factors are:

• reproductive factors (age at first birth, age of
first menstrual cycle, age of menopause);

• diet/obesity;

• alcohol;

• some forms of benign breast disease.

Remember that 75 to 80 per cent of all breast
cancers occur in women with no risk factors
other than their gender.

Recommendations for Breast Health

Mammography and Physical Examination

All Canadian women between 50-69 years should have a mammogram every two years in combination with physical examination of the breasts by a trained health professional. These two procedures together lead to earlier diagnosis of breast cancer and a significant improvement in survival.

A woman at risk should consult her physician for a personalized schedule.

Breast Self-Examination (BSE)

The CCS recommends that all women do a BSE at the same time each month, even after menopause. The need to do BSE becomes more important with age, especially after 40.

-Information provided by the Canadian Cancer Society. For more information, visit their website at www.cancer.ca

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