Breast Cancer Screening

Why is it important? - Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women, and accounts for 25% of all female cancer diagnoses. In 2019, 13% of all cancer deaths in women were caused by breast cancer.

Screening - Breast cancer screening is recommended for all women aged 50-74. The current recommendation for most women is to have routine mmaography every 2 years for average risk patients.

If you are age 30-69, and have any of the following, you may require referral to the High Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program

You are known to have a gene mutation that increases your risk for breast cancer (e.g., BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PTEN, CDH1)
You are a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister or child) of someone who has a gene mutation that increases their risk for breast cancer (e.g., BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PTEN, CDH1)
You have a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer
You have had radiation therapy to the chest to treat another cancer or condition (e.g., Hodgkin lymphoma) before age 30 and at least 8 years ago

Mammograms

Mammograms are the imaging of choice for breast cancer screening. They however are not perfect tests. Some breast cancers may be missed, while others may develop between scans. Many cancers may be picked up, that would never have caused a woman any issues during her lifetime (over-diagnosis). This can lead to surgery and other treatments that may not have been necessary. The Bottom Line is that numerous studies have shown that routine screening with mammography decreases the risk of dying from breast cancer.

Thermography

Many private clinics have begun to promote thermography as an alternative to mammography in breast cancer screening. The premise is to use infrared cameras to look at heat signatures of the breast tissue. The idea is that malignant cells will have a higher temperature than surrounding breast tissue.

The Canadian Cancer Society position is very clear - there is no evidence to support thermography in breast cancer screening, and it is not recommended.

Prevention

Limit Alcohol Intake - in terms of breast cancer, no amount of alcohol is safe. For every daily alcoholic beverage, breast cancer rates increase by 10%

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding - Getting pregnant and breastfeeding may lower your risks of breast cancer. Breastfeeding for 1 year after birth has been shown to lower rates of breast cancer

Contraception - Oral contraceptives and HRT slightly increase your risks of breast cancer. Discuss any concerns you may have with your healthcare provider

Healthy Lifestyle - Eating well and exercising may lower your risks of breast cancer.

Cancer Care Ontario