Breast Cancer Situation in Canada

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women worldwide. It is also the second leading cause of death in women. In 2004, breast cancer claimed about 519, 000 lives across the globe. 

Breast cancer is a public health issue of prime importance in Canada. Every year, a substantial proportion of resources are allocated towards the prevention and early stage diagnosis of the tumour.

Each year, the National Cancer Institute of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Public Health Agency of Canada, provincial cancer registries, and Statistics Canada, gather, analyse, evaluate and publish the “Canadian Cancer Statistics.” The principal aim of this published data is to provide health professionals, researchers, and policy-makers information on common cancers in Canada; with respect to incidence, mortality, cancer distribution, and survival.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among Canadian women.

In 2003, sub-group analysis by adult age group (20–49; 50–69; 70+) revealed that breast cancer was the most common female cancer in all age groups. Nonetheless, breast cancer was the leading cause of death in young women (20–49) and ranked second in the 50–69 age group. Between 1978 and 1999, the prevalence of breast cancer steadily rose but has now stabilized. The age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 rose from 86.1 in 1978 to 104 in 2007. Other reasons contributing to the increase in incidence are likely modifiable risk factors such as increased use of hormone replacement therapy, higher prevalence of obesity, delayed first pregnancy or null parity, and greater consumption of alcohol. Age-standardized mortality rates have been declining since the mid 1980s, and since 1999, this trend has accelerated to 1.2% per year. Between 1978 and 2007 the age-standardized mortality rates per 100,000 went from 29.5 to 22.9.

Earlier detection and increased use of adjuvant hormones and chemotherapies have contributed to this decline. Separating the impact of screening and treatment is challenging. In a U.S. study by Berry et al., the input of both screening and treatment offered almost proportional contribution to improved breast cancer outcomes.

How to Avoid Getting Breast Cancer-When Prevention is the Best Cure

Women who adopt proven and effective breast cancer preventive measures are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer. In contrast, women who fail to adopt breast cancer preventive measures are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with the disease. There is an excellent e-book about breast cancer prevention titled: How to Avoid Getting Breast Cancer-When Prevention is the Best Cure.

This book presents excellent breast cancer preventive measures, as approved by the most trusted breast cancer research institutions around the world. Considering the enormous complications associated with remedying breast cancer, all experts are unanimous on the truth that when it comes to breast cancer, prevention is the best cure. To view or download this book, click here.

 

  To view or download this book, click here.