Breast Cancer

Team Shan Messages

Team Shan visits high schools, college and universities and participates in community events to raise awareness of breast cancer in young women. Team Shan messages for young women, health care professionals and the public include information on breast cancer facts, risk factors and symptoms; breast awareness; self care strategies and breast health.

Further links include information on the disease and support for young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

“knowledge is power”

Facts

Breast Cancer Facts

every year in Canada, over 1,300 young women are diagnosed with breast cancer
the incidence of breast cancer in young women is rising globally
breast cancer in young women is often random and sporadic
no routine screening is available for young women
young women need to self detect
breast cancer does not always start with a lump
most breast lumps are not cancer
breast cancer in young women is often very aggressive
young women are more likely to be diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer
breast cancer can spread, primarily to the bones, liver, lungs and brain
early detection saves lives
when breast cancer is found early there is usually a better chance of successful treatment
finding cancer early may allow for more treatment options
delays in diagnosis are attributed to either young women or physician inaction
the majority of all breast cancers are detected by women who report unusual changes to a doctor

Risk Factors

Know Your Risk

Unmodifiable Risks

being female
increasing age
African heritage, Ashkenazi Jewish descent
strong family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer
genetic mutations (e.g., BRCA1, BRCA2)
early menstruation (under 12 yrs old)
previous biopsy showing pre-cancerous breast changes
high levels of radiation exposure to the chest

Know your risk Shanimation

Modifiable Risks

poor diet
unhealthy weight
physical inactivity
tobacco use
exposure to secondhand smoke
alcohol misuse
use of birth control pills
having no children or
delayed childbirth
never breastfeeding your baby

Remember

inform your health care provider of known risk factors
discuss any family history of breast cancer with your health care provider

Symptoms

Know the symptoms Shanimation

breast lumps (most common)
breast thickening
dimpling/puckering of the breast
breast changes (e.g., size, shape, skin)
breast swelling, redness, warmth or pain
nipple changes (e.g., nipple inverts)
nipple discharge/leaking
symptoms that may appear from the spread of breast cancer (e.g., bone pain, neurological symptoms)

Risk Reduction

Reduce your risk Shanimation

choose a healthy lifestyle
eat balanced diet high in plant based foods
maintain a healthy weight
get active and stay active
don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke
limit your alcohol intake
reduce your emotional stress
avoid hormone disruptors (e.g., Bisphenol A plastics)
check out your personal care products safety (visit Skin Deep)
discuss risk/benefits of oral contraceptives with your healthcare provider
breastfeed your babies

Prevention

Visit the following sites for information on environmental risk factors

David Suzuki Foundation ‘dirty dozen’
Environmental Defense
Environmental Working Group (includes Skin Deep cosmetic safety database)

Research

Breast cancer in young women research projects and invitations to participate are routinely posted on our Team Shan Breast Cancer Awareness for Young Women Facebook and Instagram sites.