Breast cancer awareness, prevention, detection and treatment

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to driving awareness about prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment options. It is the most common cancer among Canadian women, and 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime. As you get older, your risk of developing breast cancer increases, and women between the ages of 50 and 69 years of age are more likely to develop it. The good news is, when detected early, the chances of survival increase. Whether you have been diagnosed or are looking for information on how to reduce your risk, our evidence-informed resources can help.

Read through to learn more about risks, screening options, prevention strategies and more.


Get the latest content first. Sign up for free weekly email alerts.
Subscribe
Author Details

DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).

Many of our Blog Posts were written before the COVID-19 pandemic and thus do not necessarily reflect the latest public health recommendations. While the content of new and old blogs identify activities that support optimal aging, it is important to defer to the most current public health recommendations. Some of the activities suggested within these blogs may need to be modified or avoided altogether to comply with changing public health recommendations. To view the latest updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada, please visit their website.