The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among Canadian women. Despite slight declines in mortality rates over the past decade for women with breast cancer, one in nine Canadian women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime; one in 25 Canadian women will die from this disease. Scientific researchers are not certain of the direct causes of breast cancer, but have identified some proven risk factors as well as others that are suspected or possible. Known risk factors include: Gender: More than 99 per cent of breast cancers occur in women. Age: risk increases as you get older. Early menstruation (before the age of 12). Late menopause (after age 55). Having a first baby after age 30 or never having a baby. Having a close relative with breast cancer. Being physically inactive. Being overweight. Taking hormone replacement therapy. Possible risk factors include: Eating too few fruits and vegetables. Drinking too much alcohol. Never breastfeeding. Smoking tobacco or being exposed to second-hand smoke. Using birth control pills.
