Breast Health Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority With support from: Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Atlantic Chapter Marvelle Koffler Breast Centre, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto Canadian Cancer Society

Reducing breast cancer risk

Healthy Choices

In this program you will learn: What do we mean by breast health? What do we mean by breast health? What does risk mean – and what are risk factors? What does risk mean – and what are risk factors? What choices can we make about our lifestyle that will reduce our risk of getting breast cancer? What choices can we make about our lifestyle that will reduce our risk of getting breast cancer?

What is breast health?

Breast health is… knowing your own breasts – how they look and feel visiting a health care professional to determine if a breast problem needs treatment

Breast health includes… Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) once a year Screening mammogram every year for women aged Screening mammogram every one to two years for women 50 and over

What causes breast cancer?

Major risk factors: Being a woman (gender) Being a woman (gender) Age Age Previous breast cancer Previous breast cancer Family history Family history

Other risk factors: no pregnancies or having a first pregnancy after age 30 beginning to menstruate at an early age and/or later than average menopause hormone replacement therapy (HRT) unhealthy lifestyle choices (poor diet, lack of exercise)

By the numbers… Canada: one woman in nine is expected to develop breast cancer in her lifetime. One in 27 will die of it. Atlantic Canada: breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women -- more than twice as many new cases as lung cancer. Nova Scotia: from 1995 and 1999, 3,097 Nova Scotia women were diagnosed with breast cancer. 699 died of the disease.

Riskreduction

Changing our health habits

Making small and lasting changes toward breast health small and lasting changes toward breast health

HealthyEating

Canada’s Guidelines for Healthy Eating Enjoy a variety of foods Emphasize cereals, breads, other grains, fruits and vegetables Choose lower fat dairy products, leaner meats, and foods prepared with little or no fat Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight by enjoying regular physical activity and healthy eating Limit salt, alcohol and caffeine

Reducing Your Breast Cancer Risk: Alcohol Daily consumption of alcohol increases the risk Having more than 3 to 4 drinks a day increases risk to one and a half times that of those who abstain Risk appears to be greater when the amount of alcohol consumed is greater ==

Reducing Your Breast Cancer Risk: Fat Intake Saturated fats (animal fats) may contribute to up to 25% of breast cancers in postmenopausal women. No consensus on whether monounsaturated fats (olive, canola and peanut oil) offer “protection”

Reducing Your Breast Cancer Risk: Weight Postmenopausal women who are overweight have a higher risk of developing breast cancer Risk is about one and one-half times that of normal weight women

Reducing Your Breast Cancer Risk: Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

What’s in a serving? Fruits and vegetables 1 serving = 1 fresh fruit (apple, pear, plum) 1 fresh vegetable (carrot, green pepper) ½ cup of juice (vegetable or fruit juice) ½ cup of cooked vegetable or fruit (frozen, fresh, canned) tossed salad

Reducing Your Breast Cancer Risk: Physical Activity Breast cancer risk is about one-quarter lower in physically active women Women under 50, who are not overweight, appear to benefit most Girls who are competitive athletes in high school have a lower breast cancer risk throughout their adult lives

What works for you? 60 minutes of light effort each day (light walking, easy gardening, stretching) minutes of moderate effort (brisk walking, swimming, raking leaves)several times a week minutes of moderate effort (brisk walking, swimming, raking leaves) several times a week It’s time to “get moving”!

Stress and cancer No direct link to breast cancer Know your limits and what causes stress in order to cope more effectively

Smoking

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) an individual decision discuss with your doctor

Myths These things are not linked to breast cancer: deodorants hair dye underwire bras computers breast trauma breast implants

Early Detection

Screening Mammograms Once a year for women aged 40 to 49 years Every one to two years for women aged 50 years and over

Mammogram: What to expect… Special equipment will be used to compress your breast X-rays will be taken of each breast from top, bottom and sides Results will be sent to your doctor

Clinical Breast Examinations (CBE) By a healthcare professional at your annual physical, OR At a well woman clinic Tip: Have a CBE when you have your annual Pap test

Breast self examination (BSE) Not a proven screening method Learn the pros and cons before you choose to do it Learn the proper way to do it

Reducing breast cancer risk: Healthy diet Healthy diet Physical activity Physical activity Weight management Weight management Screening mammography – every year (age 40-49); every one or two years (age 50 and up) Screening mammography – every year (age 40-49); every one or two years (age 50 and up) Clinical breast examination (CBE) –once a year Clinical breast examination (CBE) –once a year Breast self examination (BSE) – personal choice Breast self examination (BSE) – personal choice

Congratulations! You have become a breast health breast health ambassador! ambassador!