Breast Health
Reduce your Breast Cancer Risk
Get active
Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.
Eat well
Enjoy a balanced diet that is high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and low in fat and sugar. Canada’s Food Guide recommends 7-10 servings of vegetables and fruits daily.
Maintain a Healthy Body Weight
Talk to your health care provider about what is a healthy weight for you and ways to reach or maintain it. Maintaining a healthy body weight is especially important after menopause.
Limit alcohol
If you drink alcohol, limit yourself to 1 drink per day.
Live smoke-free
Be smoke-free; avoid exposure to second-hand smoke.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Minimize your time on hormone replacement therapy, if used. Discuss this with your health care provider before making any changes.
Be Breast Aware
Be aware of how your breasts normally look and feel so that you will notice any changes. Keep in mind that your breasts may feel different at different times of your menstrual cycle. Breast tissue also changes with age. Learn what is normal for you.
Look and feel for changes in your breast. Most changes are not cancerous but you should have them checked right away. Speak with your health care provider if you notice changes such as:
- a lump or swelling in the breast or arm pit
- a change in breast size or shape
- dimpling or puckering of the skin
- changes in your nipple or fluid leaking from the nipple
- skin changes or redness that do not go away
- any other changes in your breasts
A doctor can do a clinical breast exam and refer you for a mammogram to help determine if changes in your breasts could be breast cancer.
Get Screened
All women should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) by a doctor or nurse as part of a regular health check-up.
If you are a woman 40 or older, have a CBE by a trained health care provider at least every 2 years. Talk to your health care provider about your personal risk of breast cancer and whether you should be referred for a mammogram.
If you are a woman 50 or older, have a mammogram every 2 years and a CBE at least every 2 years.
If you are a woman 70 or older, talk to your health care provider about how often you should get screened.
If you have a higher than average risk of breast cancer such as a family history of breast cancer (especially in a mother, daughter or sister diagnosed before menopause) speak with your health care provider about your risk and a personal plan for screening.
Women 50 years of age and over are encouraged to access the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) for breast screening services. You can make an appointment by calling your local OBSP program directly:
- in North Bay (705) 495-7930, .
- in West Nipissing (705) 753-4392
- in Parry Sound (705)746-4540, ext 3602
Sources:
Pamphlets - Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation,
- Early Detection and Screening Facts for Women, Canadian Cancer Society
- Cancer Care Ontario, OBSP, Key Messages for 2009 October Breast
Cancer Awareness Month
For more information please check the following web sites:
http://www.cancercare.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=1377&pageId=9471 (OBSP)
http://www.cancer.ca
http://www.cbcf-reduceyourrisk.com
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