Presenter Notes The purpose of the presentation kit is to raise awareness of breast health.

It was developed to:

• encourage participants to be breast aware

• help participants understand the risk factors for breast cancer and learn about ways to reduce the risk

Each kit includes:

• a breast health presentation

• a myth buster game

• resources

Know Your Breasts bookmark

Your Breasts pamphlet

further reading and resource list

The information in this kit is evidence and research based and will be updated as necessary.

Contact the WRHA Breast Health Centre at 204-235-3906 for updates.

Your Breast Health

your breast health Ask participants: What three words come to mind when you think of breast health? Allow time for participant responses.

• You may not have thought about your breasts or breast health until:

– you were pregnant

– you had your baby and considered breastfeeding.

– you noticed a change in your breasts

– you know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer

• We know that for some women breast health is a sensitive topic. It is also an important topic to have information about, so we hope today that you will feel comfortable to share and talk about things or to just listen to the information.

your breast health

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

the 3Bs of breast health

The three B’s of breast health include: be breast aware, be healthy and be informed.

• Being healthy involves choosing lifestyle habits to help decrease your risk of breast cancer.

• Being aware means looking at your breasts, touching them and knowing how they change each month around the time of your menstrual period, during pregnancy, while breastfeeding and as you age. If you are familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel and change through time, you are more likely to notice changes that are not normal for you.

• Being aware also involves understanding general risk factors and your personal risk factors for breast cancer.

• Being informed means knowing where to get information and support. Talk to your health care provider (public health nurse, doctor, health practitioner etc.) about your breast health, your risks, breast screening guidelines and breast cancer. Being informed helps you make healthy decisions about your breast health.

the 3Bs of breast health

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Be Aware – your breasts

• The breast is made up of glandular, fatty and connective tissue. It helps give the breast shape.

• Breast tissue covers the area from your armpit up to your collar bone and reaching to your breast bone.

• The breast’s main function is to make, store and give milk to feed the baby.

• Milk is made in lobules of the breast when hormones in a woman’s body stimulate them after giving birth.

• Each breast has thin tubes or ducts joining the nipple to the sections called lobules which are pictured in red on the diagram. In each lobule are tiny, hollow sacs or alveoli. If you're breast-feeding, ducts carry milk from the alveoli toward the dark area of skin around the nipple which is called the areola.

• The areola around the nipple has small sweat glands that release moisture to make breast feeding more comfortable.

Be Aware – your breasts

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Be Aware – breast changes over your lifetime

• Many breast changes are caused hormone levels in our body going up and down.

o Estrogen is the main female hormone. It helps us to grow breasts and to have babies. The ovaries make most of the estrogen in a woman’s body.

o Progesterone is the other female hormone. It helps prepare the uterus for pregnancy and the breast to make milk for breastfeeding the baby.

• In the early teens, you developed breast buds that grew into the breasts you have today.

• During pregnancy – hormone levels are higher. Breasts become firm, tender and increase in size. The nipples and areolas may get darker and may remain that way after you have the baby.

• During breastfeeding – breasts become swollen and tender. Nipples can become cracked and sore. Some women may get a breast infection called mastitis. Mastitis can cause a fever and a hard, red, swollen area in the breast; even muscle aches or chills. It is often treated with antibiotics. You should see your health care provider if you have these symptoms.

• As women age and go into menopause, hormone levels become low and the breasts become soft, less tender and often hang lower or sag.

Be Aware - breast changes

over your lifetime

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Be Aware – what is normal?

Every woman’s breasts are different.

Ask participants: What does a “normal” breast look or feel like? Allow time

for participants to respond.

Breasts can be have many differences and these may be normal for you:

• One breast larger than the other

• Nipples can be flat instead of pointing out

• Hair growing around the areola or nipple area

• Areolas can be different colours, shapes and sizes

• Breast can have stretch marks

• Breast swelling and tenderness especially around your menstrual period

• Non cancerous lumps

• Nipple discharge

Be Aware – what is normal?

• Every woman’s

breasts are different

• Breasts comes in

different sizes and

shapes

So…don’t worry!

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

What are some common concerns women have about their breasts?

Ask participants: What do you think are the most common concerns women will see their health care provider for in regards to their breasts? Allow participants time to share their thoughts.

Answer: Common things women see their health care provider for are nipple discharge, a breast lump and breast pain.

Let’s talk about each of these briefly:

• Nipple discharge. Nipple discharge can happen when a woman’s breast is squeezed. A small amount of discharge may come from the nipple. It may be green, yellow, brown, grey or a combination of these colours. This is normal for many women and often happens before menopause. Do not squeeze the nipple or breast. This can cause more discharge because it stimulate hormones.

• A breast lump. The breast can be lumpy because of the different tissues that make up the breast. Most often, lumps in the breast are part of the normal tissue. Sometimes women have cysts that make the breasts feel lumpy. These are common and do not cause breast cancer or mean you will get breast cancer. Fibrocystic breast changes or breasts that feels lumpy or rope-like in texture are common changes of breast tissue.

• Breast pain. Breast pain is common in women. It is not usually caused by cancer. The cause of breast pain is

unknown. It may be related to hormonal changes, fibrocystic changes to the breast, cysts in the breast, breast

surgery or irritation of the breast bone or ribs.

• It is normal to have mild breast pain 2-3 days just before a menstrual period and sometimes breast pain

happens at other times. It can be in both breasts, one breast, or in only one part of the breast. The pain can go

to other areas such as the armpit or down the arm.

• Breast pain may be caused by wearing a bra that does not fit well. Seeing a trained bra fitter can help get the

right fit and support for you.

• You should see your health care provider about any breast pain that does not go away, gets worse, prevents

you from sleeping or doing regular activities.

Be Aware – common concerns

What are some

common concerns

women have about

their breasts?

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Be Breast Aware • Get into a habit of checking your breasts from time to time. You can become

breast aware in any way that feels comfortable and easy for you. It might

mean looking and feeling your breasts while you are:

o Looking in the mirror

o Getting dressed

o In the bath or shower

o Standing up or lying down

• Remember to include the areas above and below the breasts, including the

armpits.

• It is important to check your breasts throughout the month - before, in

between and after your menstrual cycle - so you know what is normal for you

at different times in the month.

• Knowing what is normal for your breasts may help you find changes if they

happen. If you see or feel a change, talk to your health care provider.

Be Breast Aware

• Look at and touch

your breasts

• Check the areas

above and below

the breasts,

including armpits!

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Be Aware – breast changes to watch for

Ask participants: What are some potential breast changes to look for?

• A lump in the breast that is not normal for you, is new, and/or doesn’t go away

• A change in the size, shape or color of your breast

• A change in the way your nipple looks

• An eczema type rash on the nipple

• Any discharge from the nipple that happens without squeezing the

breast/nipple

• New or bloody nipple discharge or discharge that is only from one nipple

• Puckering or dimpling of the skin

• Skin that looks like an orange or feels very thick

• It is important not to ignore these signs or symptoms even if you are

breastfeeding

All of these changes should be assessed by your health care provider

Be Aware - breast changes to watch for

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Be Aware – breast cancer

Ask participants: What is breast cancer?

• Breast cancer is cancer that begins in the breast tissue. When breast cells are not working properly, they divide continually and a lump or tumor is formed. It is important to know that a small number of breast cancers do not form a lump. It is important to be aware of all of the signs related to breast cancer.

Ask participants: What causes breast cancer?

• Although it is not known what causes breast cancer, there are many things that can increase your risk of developing breast cancer. Some risk factors are related to genetics and hormones, while others are related to lifestyle.

Ask participants: What is a risk factor?

• A risk factor is something that can increase a person’s chance of developing breast cancer.

• Having a risk factor does not mean you will get the disease.

Ask participants: What puts some women at higher risk for breast cancer than other women?

• Answer is on next page – let the participants share their thoughts and then show the next page.

Be Aware – breast cancer

• What is breast cancer?

• What causes breast cancer?

• What is a risk factor?

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Be Aware – factors that increase breast cancer risk

• Some risk factors you cannot control, like being a women and your age. Other risk

factors you can control or change to lower your breast cancer risk.

• Being a woman is one of the strongest risk factors for developing breast cancer. Less than 1% of new breast cancer cases occur in men.

o Life-long exposure to the body’s natural hormones—estrogen and progesterone. While these hormones are necessary for normal growth and development of a woman's breasts and reproductive system they also play a role in increasing our breast cancer risk.

• Age. The risk of breast cancer increases as you get older, but women of all ages can get breast cancer.

• Personal and family history can increase your risk if you have had breast cancer before, have one or more family members diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer (especially a mother, sister or daughter diagnosed before menopause) or carry the BRCA1 or BRCA 2 genes. If you do have a strong family history of breast cancer, talk to your healthcare provider about options for a genetic risk assessment.

Be Aware – factors that increase

breast cancer risk

• Being a woman

• Getting Older

• Personal and family

history

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Be Aware – factors that increase breast cancer risk

• Early menstruation and late menopause:

There is a small increase in the risk of breast cancer if you started your first menstrual period at an early age (younger than 12) or go into menopause later than the average woman (over the age of 55). Why is this? Starting your period before age 12 and/or going into menopause after 55 means that your body’s exposure to estrogen is longer than in the average woman.

• Late or no pregnancy: Pregnancy interrupts the exposure to estrogen and reduces the total number of menstrual cycles you have during your lifetime. Women who have their first full-term pregnancy after the age of 30 have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer than women who have at least one full-term pregnancy at an earlier age. Becoming pregnant at an early age (such as before age 20) reduces breast cancer risk. Not becoming pregnant at all increases the risk of breast cancer.

• Hormonal Factors: Hormones found in birth control pills, fertility drugs and hormone replacement therapy may be used by some women. These can also increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer Speak to your health care provider about the pros and cons of taking hormones.

Be Aware - factors that increase

breast cancer risk

• Early menstruation

– first period (before age 12)

– late menopause (after age 55)

• Late or no pregnancy

– first pregnancy (after age 30)

• Hormonal factors

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Be Aware – factors that increase breast cancer risk

• Breast density is not related to the look or feel of your breasts. It is an x-ray term which refers to the way breast tissue appears on a mammogram (breast x-ray). Research shows that women who have dense breasts have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Breast density usually decreases with age.

• Some benign or non cancerous breast conditions like atypical hyperplasia (an increase in abnormal cells) can increase your risk. If you have had a benign breast condition and have concerns about your risk for breast cancer, speak to a health care provider for more information.

• Radiation to the chest area before the age of 30 can lead to an increase later in life.

• Being overweight, having more than 1 drink a day and smoking are also risk factors for breast cancer and will be discussed in the section about ways to reduce your risk.

• To better understand your risk of breast cancer, talk to your health care provider.

Be Aware - factors that increase

breast cancer risk

• breast density

• breast conditions

• radiation to the chest

before the age of 30

• being overweight

• alcohol

• smoking

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Be Healthy – ways to reduce breast cancer risk

• The American Institute of Cancer Research says breast cancer can be reduced by 38% by eating a healthy diet, being at a healthy weight, being physical active, limiting the alcohol you drink and not to smoke. Every day choices can make a difference.

• Eat Well - Eating well means including vegetables, fruit, whole grains and legumes (i.e. dried peas, beans) in your diet. Following Canada’s Food Guide will help you do that.

• Be a healthy weight for you - Keep your weight as healthy as you can throughout your life. Being overweight increases the hormone estrogen and causes inflammation. This can increase the risk of breast cancer.

• Get regular physical activity - Regular physical activity helps improve your overall physical, emotional and social health and well-being. Be physically active every day for at least 30 minutes doing something you enjoy and will keep up. It can lower your risk of breast cancer by as much as 25-30%.

• Avoid or limit the amount of alcohol you drink – if you do choose to drink, have not more than 1 drink/day. The size of one drinks is: 1 ½ ox (45ml) hard liquor, 5 oz (150ml) wine, 8 oz (240ml) beer. Alcohol is a known cancer causing substance.

• Breastfeed your baby – Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast cancer for the mother. The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends to breastfeed for at least 6 months.

• Quit smoking or never start – Cigarette smoke contains possible and probable substances that can cause cancer. It has been found that women who start smoking at an early age, and/or who smoked heavily prior to a first full-term pregnancy are at increased risk.

Be Healthy - ways to reduce

breast cancer risk • Eat well

• Be a healthy weight for you

• Get regular physical activity

• Avoid or limit the amount

of alcohol you drink

• Breastfeed your baby

• Quit smoking or do not start

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Be Informed – the facts

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women.

• 1 in 9 women will develop breast cancer if they live to the age of 90.

• The number of Canadian women diagnosed with breast cancer under the

age of 40 was 1055 or 4% in 2013.

Be Informed – the facts

• Breast cancer is the most

common cancer among

Canadian women

• One in nine women will

develop breast cancer if they

live to the age of ninety

• The number of Canadian

women diagnosed with

breast cancer under the age

of 40 was 1055 or 4% in

2013

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Be Informed – how do you test for breast cancer?

For Healthy Women:

o Once you turn 50 years of age, you can go to the provincial screening program called BreastCheck. They will conduct a mammogram for early signs of breast cancer, even if you have no symptoms. A doctor's referral is not needed. BreastCheck does not screen women under this age.

o For women under 50, It is not recommended for women under 50 to be screened with a mammogram unless their risk for breast cancer is higher than the average woman. If you have a family history of breast cancer, ask your health care provider when you should begin screening and have a mammogram. It is recommended that a mammogram be done 10 years earlier than the age of family member when they were diagnosed with breast cancer. For example, if your mother had breast cancer at age 54 it is recommended that you begin mammograms by age 44. This will be done at a mammogram clinic.

Talk to your health care provider about any new or unusual breast changes. Your health care provider will perform a clinical breast exam and can order a mammogram or ultrasound to investigate abnormal findings. These are done at a mammogram clinic.

Be Informed – how do you test

for breast cancer?

Talk to your health care

provider about any new

or unusual breast changes

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Summary

• Breast health involves

o Knowing your breasts

o Knowing your risks

o Knowing the facts

• Your breast health is important to your overall health

• See your health care provider about your breast health and risk

factors or if you have any breast concerns

• Know your breasts

• Know your risks

• Know the facts

See your health care provider about your breast health and risk factors

It’s important to your overall health!

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

“Your Breast Health”

has been developed by the WRHA Breast Health Centre in collaboration with CancerCare Manitoba Breast Cancer Centre of Hope and BreastCheck programs

and produced in partnership with

Healthy Child Manitoba

For more information about the topics covered in this presentation kit, please contact:

The WRHA Breast Health Centre

204-235-3146 or Toll-Free in Manitoba 1-888-501-5219

or visit www.wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Where Can I Get Help?

This kit was developed in March 2014

It is not intended as a handout for program participants

“Your Breast Health”

has been developed by the WRHA Breast Health Centre in collaboration with CancerCare Manitoba Breast Cancer Centre of Hope and BreastCheck programs

and produced in partnership with

Healthy Child Manitoba

For more information about the topics covered in this presentation kit, please contact:

The WRHA Breast Health Centre

204-235-3146 or Toll-Free in Manitoba 1-888-501-5219

or visit www.wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Where Can I Get Help?

This kit was developed in March 2014

It is not intended as a handout for program participants

Further reading and resources

Breast Health • Be Pink Adolescent Breast Health Resource available at www.cancercare.mb.ca/bepink

• Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – About Breast Health, available at https://www.cbcf.org/central/AboutBreastHealth/Pages/default.aspx

• Rethink Breast Cancer – Touch. Look. Check., available at http://rethinkbreastcancer.com/our-work/education/touch-look-check/

• Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Breast Health Centre – Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer Resources,

available at http://www.wrha.mb.ca/community/bhc/education-reducerisk.php Nutrition • American Institute for Cancer Research, available at www.aicr.org

• American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical activity for Cancer Prevention, available at

http://www.cancer.org/healthy/eathealthygetactive/acsguidelinesonnutritionphysicalactivityforcancerprevention/nupa-guidelines-toc

Analyzing Information on the Internet

• Evaluating Internet Health Information, National Library of Science

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/webeval/webeval.html

• Canadian Women’ s Health Network, Networking: Searching for Health Information On-line

http://www.cwhn.ca/en/node/39755

• Studying Cancer: Learn how scientist research diet and cancer

http://www.aicr.org/research/research_inform_studying_cancer.html

References • American Institute for Cancer Research, Weighing the Evidence retrieved January, 2014 from,

www.aicr.org/research/research/research_science_home.html

• BreastCancer.Org – Understanding breast cancer risk and how to lower it, retrieved January 2014 from,

http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/understand

• Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation of Canada, About breast health retrieved February, 2014 from, https://www.cbcf.org/prairies/AboutBreastHealth/PreventionRiskReduction/Pages/default.aspx

• Canadian Cancer Society retrieved January 2104 from

http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/breast/overview/?region=mb

• CanadianCancer Society’s Steering Committee on Cancer Statistics. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2012.retrieved January 2014, from https://www.cancer.ca/~/media/cancer.ca/CW/cancer%20information/cancer%20101/Canadian%20cancer%20statistics/Canadian-Cancer-Statistics-2012---English.pdf

• CancerCare Manitoba- Be Pink Toolkit retrieved February, 2014 from, http://www.cancercare.mb.ca/home/prevention_and_screening/adolescent_breast_health_resource/

• Canadian Cancer Society retrieved January 2104 from

http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/breast/overview/?region=mb

• CanadianCancer Society’s Steering Committee on Cancer Statistics. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2012.retrieved January 2014, from

https://www.cancer.ca/~/media/cancer.ca/CW/cancer%20information/cancer%20101/Canadian%20cancer%20statistics/Canadian-Cancer-Statistics-2012--

-English.pdf

• CancerCare Manitoba- Be Pink Toolkit retrieved February, 2014 from,

http://www.cancercare.mb.ca/home/prevention_and_screening/adolescent_breast_health_resource/

• Gaudet M., Gapstur S., Juzhong S. et al., (2013). Active smoking and breast cancer risk: original cohort data and meta-analysis. J Natl Cancer Inst., 105(8): 515-525.

• Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. (2011). Breast cancer and the environment: a life course approach, retrieved from

http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2011/Breast-Cancer-and-the-Environment-A-Life-Course-Approach.aspx

• Markova, T., & Schwartz, K. (2007). Common breast complaints in primary care. Family Medicine, 7(2), 1-13.

• Medline Plus Evaluating Health Information, retrieved February, 2014 from

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/evaluatiinghealthinformation.html

• National Cancer Institute, Understanding breast changes: A health guide for women, retrieved January, 2014 from, http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/screening/understanding-breast-changes/

• Reynolds, P. (2013). Smoking and breast cancer. Journal of mammary glad biology and neoplasia. 18: 15-23.

• The Society of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists of Canada (2006). Breast pain fact sheet, retrieved January, 2014 from http://sogc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/170E-CPG-January20061.pdf

1

Your Breast Health Myth Busters

Facilitator Notes

• Myth Busters This game is designed to help sort out the facts, common myths and gray

areas about breast health and breast cancer.

• Time Needed: Approximately 15 minutes – Choose as many of the statements as time

permits. A handout is provided with a full listing of the statements and answers.

• Supplies

– 1 Set of three answer cards labeled MYTH, FACT and GRAY AREA.

– Set of statement cards with the corresponding answer on the back

• How to play:

Distribute the statement cards to the participants to read them out to the group or the facilitator can read the statement cards out to the group. Assign a statement card to one of the three answer cards.

Facilitator Notes

• The facilitator reads over the description for each category. – Fact: information established in science and research

– Myth: information or a belief that is not based on evidence

– Gray Area: suspected factors for further research

• The facilitator explains that the answer is based on the best available scientific evidence.

• The facilitator or participant reads out a statement card and the participants are asked to answer or call out Fact, Myth or Gray area. The facilitator identifies the statement as a Fact, Myth or Gray area and reads out the explanation on the back of the statement card.

4 4

Stress can cause

breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Stress can cause cancer

GRAY AREA

• How stress affects the body is a common question asked when

cancer occurs and as people recover from cancer.

• Researchers are studying how stress may relate to cancer but do

not know if it can cause cancer.

• Reducing your stress however helps people cope with day to day

living and can improve your health.

6 6

Sleeping with a bra or

wearing an under-wire

bra can increase risk for

breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Sleeping with a bra or wearing an under-wire bra

can increase risk for breast cancer

MYTH

• There is no evidence that sleeping with a bra

or wearing an under-wire bra increases the

risk of breast cancer.

8 8

Breast cancer

does not occur

in young women

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Breast cancer does not occur in young women

MYTH

• The risk of breast cancer increases as women age. The

risk of getting breast cancer is lower in young women. In

2013, the risk of breast cancer in Canada was 4% for

women under the age of 40.

10 10

Breast implants

increase breast

cancer risk

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Breast implants increase breast cancer risk

MYTH

• Several studies conclude that having cosmetic breast implants does not increase breast cancer risk. However, implants can sometimes make it harder to see any abnormalities including cancers, on mammograms. The mammogram is done with special care if the person doing it knows there is a breast implant.

12 12

Bumping or bruising

of the breast

(i.e. accidents,

sport injuries)

can lead to

breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Bumping or bruising of the breast (i.e. accidents,

sport injuries) can lead to breast cancer.

MYTH

• There is no scientific evidence that bumping

or bruising your breast increased the risk of

breast cancer.

14 14

Underarm

deodorant and

antiperspirants

cause breast

cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Underarm deodorant and antiperspirants

cause breast cancer

MYTH

• Several studies have been conducted on the link

between antiperspirants/deodorants and breast

cancer and to date there is no conclusive evidence

that they increase your risk of breast cancer.

16

Using nail polish

frequently can

lead to breast

cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Using nail polish frequently can lead to

breast cancer

GRAY AREA

• Nail polish and other nail care products are

widely available with very little information about

what is in them. There has not been enough

research in this area to know if they are safe or

not.

18

Colouring your

hair can lead to

breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Colouring your hair can lead to

breast cancer

MYTH

• Based on research studies with humans, using

hair dyes (permanent or semi permanent), has

not been linked to breast cancer.

20

If you had breast

cancer as a young

adult woman, you

won’t be able to have

children later

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

If you had breast cancer as a young adult woman,

you won’t be able to have children later.

GRAY AREA

• Some of the treatments given for breast cancer lower your hormone levels. Your periods can stop and cause menopause symptoms. This can affect your fertility and the ability to get pregnant after treatment.

• For some women this is permanent, while other women, can have their fertility return to normal. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer and wish to become pregnant in the future, speak with your health care team for advice.

22

If your mother

or sister had

breast cancer,

your risk is

higher than the

average woman

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

If your mother or sister had breast cancer, your

risk is higher than the average woman.

FACT

• If your mother or sister had breast cancer you may be at higher risk of getting breast cancer. Only 5‐10% of all breast cancers are hereditary.

• Hereditary cancer is when a gene mutation is inherited from a close family member. Having a gene mutation does not mean that a person will definitely get cancer, but indicates they are at a higher risk of developing that type of cancer. The main risk factor for breast cancer is being a woman.

24

Some chemicals found

in pesticides, solvents,

flame retardants and

plastics are thought to

increase the risk of

breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Some chemicals found in pesticides, solvents,

flame retardants and plastics are thought to

increase the risk of breast cancer

GRAY AREA

• The effects of exposure to chemicals on human health

and the risk of cancer is a complex and growing area of

research.

• Some of these compounds have the ability to act like

estrogen and may also cause DNA damage.

• More research is needed to better understand the effects

of chemical exposure and how to protect against these

risks in our daily lives.

26

Using cell

phones can

increase risk of

breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Using cell phones can increase risk of

breast cancer

GRAY AREA

• Most of scientific research to date does not show

a link between the type of energy given out by

cell phones and human cancers. However more

research is needed in this area.

28

Taking birth

control pills

increases the

risk of breast

cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Taking birth control pills increases

the risk of breast cancer

FACT

• There is a small increase in breast cancer risk for

women using birth control pills but that risk ends ten

years after discontinuing the pills.

• A lot depends on what the hormone levels are in the pills

taken. The newer types contain smaller amounts of

hormones.

• Individuals are encouraged to discuss any risks with their

health care provider. Slide revised Sept 2015

30

Women who

breastfeed have a

reduced risk of

developing breast

cancer compared

to women who do

not breastfeed

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Women who breastfeed reduce their risk of

developing breast cancer compared with

women who do not breastfeed.

FACT

• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of the mother

getting breast cancer.

• Breast feeding makes it easier to lose the baby

weight.

32 32

Nipple piercing causes cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Nipple piercing causes cancer

MYTH

•There are no known studies that look at nipple

piercing and the risk of breast cancer.

34 34

Genetic (inherited)

traits account for a

small percentage of

breast cancers

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Genetic (inherited) traits account for a small

percentage of breast cancers

FACT

• Less than 5-10% of those with breast cancer

inherited it.

36 36

Choose organic

food to reduce

your risk of

developing

breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Choose organic food to reduce your risk of

developing breast cancer.

MYTH

• At this time, there is no evidence that organic

foods are better in reducing breast cancer risk or

providing other health benefits than foods grown

the usual way.

38 38

Sugar

causes

cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Sugar causes cancer

MYTH

• Sugar increases calorie intake which may cause

someone to be overweight. This increases

breast cancer risk.

• A high sugar diet is often low in healthy food and

healthy food helps fight cancer.

• A high sugar diet can cause insulin levels to

remain higher than usual. This can cause all

cells to grow, including cancer cells. Slide revised Sept 2015

40 40

Soy foods

reduce the risk

of developing

breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Soy foods reduce the risk of developing

breast cancer.

GRAY AREA

• The research is not agreeing about whether

having soy foods reduces the risk of breast

cancer. More research is needed.

42 42

Vegetarian diets

reduce

cancer risk

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Vegetarian diets reduce cancer risk

MYTH

• Vegetarian diets may reduce cancer risk

because they include healthier foods than the

unhealthy diet that many people eat.

• However, there is no evidence that eating this

way is any better at reducing cancer risk than

someone eating a healthy diet that is not a

vegetarian one.

44 44

Small breasted

women do not

get breast

cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Small breasted women do not get

breast cancer

MYTH

• Women with small breasts can get breast

cancer.

1 1

Stress can cause

breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

2 2

Sleeping with a bra or

wearing an under-wire

bra can increase risk for breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

3 3

Breast cancer

does not occur

in young women

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

4 4

Breast implants

increase breast

cancer risk

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

5 5

Bumping or bruising

of the breast

(i.e. accidents,

sport injuries)

can lead to

breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

6 6

Underarm

deodorant and

antiperspirants

cause breast

cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

7

Using nail polish

frequently can

lead to breast

cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

8

Colouring your

hair can lead to

breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

9

If you had breast

cancer as a young

adult woman, you

won’t be able to have

children later

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

10

If your mother

or sister had

breast cancer,

your risk is

higher than the

average woman

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

11

Some chemicals

found in pesticides,

solvents, flame

retardants and

plastics are thought to

increase the risk of breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

12

Using cell

phones can

increase risk of

breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

13

Taking birth

control pills

increases the

risk of breast

cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

14

Women who

breastfeed have a

reduced risk of

developing breast

cancer compared

to women who do

not breastfeed

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

15 15

Nipple piercing causes cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

16 16

Genetic (inherited)

traits account for a

small percentage of

breast cancers

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

17 17

Choose organic

food to reduce

your risk of

developing

breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

18 18

Sugar

causes

cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

19 19

Soy foods

reduce the risk

of developing

breast cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

20 20

Vegetarian diets

reduce

cancer risk

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

21 21

Small breasted

women do not

get breast

cancer

wrha.mb.ca/bhc

Resource Order Form

Finding Breast Cancer Early Could Save Your Life.

A pamphlet on breast screening facts and program overview.

English

Farsi

Hindi

Portuguese

Swahili

Amharic

Filipino

Italian

Punjabi

Urdu

Arabic French

Korean

Russian

Vietnamese

Chinese

German

Polish

Spanish

A Breast Check could save your life!

A pamphlet on breast screening facts. Developed in partnership with Sagkeeng First Na on.

English

Breast Health Display

A visual tour For woman who have never had a mammogram.

For loan only. To request a copy, please call Brandy at (204) 788‐8353, or brandy.pantel@cancercare.mb.ca

A er Your Visit A pamphlet explaining what to expect a er a mammogram.

English

Farsi

Hindi

Portuguese

Swahili

Amharic

Filipino

Italian

Punjabi

Urdu

Arabic French

Korean

Russian

Vietnamese

Chinese

German

Polish

Spanish

Public Resources

Early detec on is your best protec on A sheet with facts, benefits, and risks of breast screening.

English

French

Know your breasts bookmark Signs and symptoms to be aware of, ways to reduce your risk of breast cancer, and BreastCheck promo on.

English

Your Breasts A pamphlet that explains common breast problems such as cysts, pain, fibroadenomas, discharge, and fibrocys c changes.

English

Breast Health Display A 3’ x 6’ foldable display board featuring informa on on the breast health programs in Manitoba

For loan only. To request a display , please call Brandy at (204) 788‐8353, or brandy.pantel@cancercare.mb.ca

Health Care Provider Resources

Prescrip on Pad

Site Checklist To assist in planning a mobile breast screening site.

Resource Order Form

Breast models & lumps For loan only. To request a set, please call Brandy at (204)788‐8353, or brandy.pantel@cancercare.mb.ca

CancerCare Manitoba Screening Resources

CancerCare Manitoba Screening Display A 3’ x 6’ foldable display board promo ng breast, colon, and cervix screening.

Cancer screening tear off pad 3.75” x 8”. Double sided with informa on about screening.

Mammography Guidelines

Decision Aid Developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) for women 40 years of age & over.

Breast Health Services Overview of breast health services available in Manitoba

English

English

French

English

French

English

English

Quan ty

To order: Online at BreastCheckmb.ca By mail at: BreastCheck, #5‐25 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2B1 By Fax (204)788‐1594

Name Organiza on Address City Province Postal Code Phone# Email

� Check here if you do not want to receive occasional email updates from CCMB Screening Programs.

For loan only. To request a display , please call Brandy at (204) 788‐8353, or brandy.pantel@cancercare.mb.ca