October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to driving awareness about prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment options. Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women globally, and within Canada, it is the third most-commonly diagnosed cancer, accounting for 25% of all cancer diagnoses in females. 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 are a breast cancer survivor, know of someone fighting breast cancer, or simply want to educate yourself further about it, our evidence-based resources are a good place to start. Read on for information about overall lifestyle factors that contribute to your risk of developing cancer, screening, treatment options 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.