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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.

Risk Factors

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

• Gender: More than 99% 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

• 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

For more information on risk factors and how to minimize your risk, visit: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/iyh/diseases/breast_cancer.html

How the Government is taking action on Breast Cancer

In 1993, Health Canada launched Phase I (1993-1998) of the Canadian Breast Cancer Initiative (CBCI)to support research, care and treatment, professional education, programs for early detection, and access to information for women. In 1998, Health Minister, Allan Rock, announced the renewal of the CBCI (Phase II, 1998-2003). CBCI is now ongoing -- Health Canada continues to work collaboratively with cancer control stakeholders to address breast cancer issues spanning from prevention to palliative care. The current focus is to evaluate progress over the last decade and build on the many successes of the initiative in order to more effectively direct our efforts to reduce breast cancer incidence and mortality and improve the quality of life of those affected by breast cancer.