Breast Cancer

Health Canada reports that breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among Canadian women.

Despite slight declines in death rates over the past decade for women with breast cancer, one in nine Canadian women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime and one in 25 Canadian women will die from this disease. 

More than 99 per cent of breast cancers occur in women.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. It is always caused by a genetic abnormality (a "mistake" in the genetic material) whether inherited or resulting from the aging process.

Usually breast cancer either begins in the milk-producing glands, or the ducts (the milk passages to the nipple). Less commonly, breast cancer can begin in the fatty and fibrous areas of the breast.

Over time, cancer cells can invade nearby healthy breast tissue and make their way into the underarm lymph nodes. If cancer cells get into the lymph nodes, they have a pathway into other parts of the body.

What are the Risk Factors?

Scientific researchers aren't certain of the direct causes of breast cancer, but have identified proven risk factors:

Increasing Age Country of Birth / Residence Family History Previous Breast Cancer Breast Density

Other Possible Risk Factors

It's important to remember most breast cancers occur in women with no other risk factors than being a woman and increasing age.

Research continues to study other factors that may increase a woman's overall risk of developing breast cancer.

These possible risk factors include:

• Early menstruation (before the age of 12).
• Mmenopause (after age 55).
• Having a first baby after age 30 or never having a baby.
• Being physically inactive.
• Being overweight.
• Drinking too much alcohol.
• Taking hormone replacement therapy.

What is Breast Cancer Screening?

Breast screening includes mammography and a physical examination of the breasts by a trained health care provider. Regular breast screening can find cancer when it is small enough to successfully treat, is less likely to spread and when there may be more treatment options.

How Often Should I Be Screened?

A Screening Mammogram every two years is recommended for women between the ages of 50 and 69.

Depending on the advice of a health professional and a woman's personal risk factors, this recommendation may be adjusted.

The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) is a program of Cancer Care Ontario dedicated to providing specialized comprehensive breast screening services to women aged 50 years and over for the early detection of breast cancer.

Every woman is at risk for breast cancer and your risk increases with age. 75% of all breast cancers occur in women who are 50 years and older.

In Waterloo Region, we have four local Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) sites.

You can book your own appointment for a free mammogram if you are 50 years or older.

OBSP offers the following services for women aged 50 and older:

• Two-view mammograms.
• Physical examination of the breasts (at most OBSP sites).
• Information on how to do breast self examination (BSE).
• Coordination with family doctors for follow-up and referrals.
• Booking follow-up appointments when needed.

To book a free mammogram call one of these four local OBSP sites:

• RDS Kitchener Phone: 519-742-7599
• Grand River Hospital Phone: 519-749-4270
• Cambridge Memorial Hospital Phone: 519-740-4999
• RDS Cambridge Phone: 519-740-3736

Breast Cancer Resources

Breast cancer fact sheets are available in 18 different languages at the OBSP website.