During Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Beyond Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Offers Support, Tools and Resources for all Stages of Breast Cancer Journey

TORONTO, Oct. 5, 2016 /CNW/ - During Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) and beyond, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) is committed to providing emotional support, credible information, user-friendly tools, and informative events to anyone affected by breast cancer, at any point in their journey.  This includes a support and information helpline with newly expanded hours which serves Canadians across the country; a first-ever, national online breast screening decision aid tool; and Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day, a newly acquired program of the CBCF, now in its 6^th year, aimed at promoting education, access and awareness to women considering post-mastectomy breast reconstruction surgery.

"During the month of October, we encourage people to take action and learn more about the tools and resources available to help women and their loved ones who have been impacted by breast cancer," said Lynne Hudson, CEO, CBCF. "This disease impacts 25,000 Canadian women each year. We know from consultations and conversations with women, healthcare providers, and others affected by breast cancer that there is a common and indispensable desire for support, credible information and tools that address the needs of Canadians, across the entire breast cancer continuum of care."

Thanks to a recent merger with Willow Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support (Willow), CBCF has introduced quality support and information programs to those affected by breast cancer, which are available year round.  These newly expanded programs are unique to CBCF — and are free and confidential.

Support and information available across Canada

CBCF support and information is accessible in many ways, either through email, online or through a toll-free helpline. Members of the frontline Support Team are specially trained to be able to provide this type of support – and have first-hand experience, having had a breast cancer or high-risk diagnosis. Areas of expertise include risk factors and management, diagnosis, treatment options, breast reconstruction, breast health, survivorship, and living with metastatic breast cancer. To ensure support is available when women need it most, CBCF has extended the hours for its helpline – which means support is available longer, regardless of time zone.

"Research has shown that psychosocial support can be effective in enhancing a cancer patient's quality of life, coping abilities, and wellbeing," says Karen Malone, VP of Research and Programs, CBCF. "We're here to help ensure that all Canadians affected by breast cancer have access to the support and information they need -- whenever they need it."

CBCF's on-site services at Women's College Hospital and North York General Hospital in Toronto help to support women as soon as they receive their breast cancer diagnosis.  CBCF's long-term goal is to further expand these programs to reach women outside major cities.

CBCF continues Willow's long-standing peer support volunteer training programs, helping to maintain community-based peer support groups across Canada. Since 2000, women in 500 communities have been trained to serve as breast cancer support group facilitators.

Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day introduced as new program of CBCF

This month, BRA Day will launch as a program of CBCF – and will be activated by leading plastic surgeons in more than 25 cities across Canada throughout October and November. Founded in 2011 by Toronto plastic surgeon Dr Mitchell Brown, BRA Day promotes education, awareness and access for women who may wish to consider post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.  At BRA Day events, women can learn about their options for breast reconstruction from medical professionals, empowering them to make an informed choice that is right for them. At these events, the unique 'Show and Tell' Lounge allows women to develop realistic expectations of what reconstruction can achieve by providing a safe yet comfortable and relaxed environment for showing, telling, talking and connecting. Visit www.bra-day.com for more information.

Risk reduction and screening awareness still a top priority for the Foundation

For women at average risk of breast cancer, mammogram screening is most effective every two years, between the ages of 50 and 74. Eligibility is determined by breast screening guidelines in each province. For women who are unsure whether to have a mammogram, CBCF has developed an online tool to help women make an informed choice regarding participation in organized breast screening, in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart.  The 'My Breasts, My Test' e-tool (www.cbcf.org/mytest) is Canada's first interactive online breast screening decision aid.  The tool was designed for women to learn about their individual risk factors, better understand possible outcomes of a mammogram and learn about the mammogram experience. A personalized screening guide is provided upon completion.

CBCF's corporate partners get involved in BCAM

CBCF is pleased to have the support of corporate partners to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A full list of partners is available at cbcf.org. Some examples include:

Cashmere Bathroom Tissue:
Canadians are invited to view the White Cashmere Collection® 2016 and support the cause by joining Cashmere Bathroom Tissue's unique Vote Couture for the Cure® contest at Facebook.com/Cashmere.  From September 28 until October 26, Canadians are invited to vote for their favourite Cashmere BT couture garment and Cashmere Bathroom Tissue will donate $1 for every vote, up to $10,000, to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation in the winning designer's name.

Shop 4 Charity: 
Shop 4 Charity has launched the 4^th annual Shop4Charity Calendar Sweepstakes. Seventy-five per cent of net proceeds will be contributed to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, with all contributions raised in Quebec benefiting the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. Calendars start at $30 + tax. Visit www.sweepstakesforthecure.ca for more details.

Hero Burger & Ace Bakery:
ACE Bakery® and HERO Certified Burgers® (HERO) have joined forces again in support of CBCF, in an effort to help "beet" cancer. From September 26 to October 21, diners can visit any HERO Certified Burger location in Ontario and enjoy their favourite burger between a Pink Bun from ACE Bakery. These attention-worthy buns get their colour from all natural beet juice added to the dough. For every pink bun sold during the campaign, $1 will be donated to CBCF.

Federated Co-op and Van Houtte Coffee
Federated Co-op and Van Houtte Coffee Services Inc. partner each October to support breast cancer research through the Drink Pink coffee program. Throughout October, 10 cents from every cup of coffee sold at participating Co-op locations will be donated to CBCF. Since the inception of the program – six years ago - the Drink Pink partners have raised $549,000 for CBCF through the sale of coffee at participating Co-op Gas Bars and Food Store delis — and the tally is still growing.

Sobeys
Atlantic Canadians are encouraged to pick up a Breast Cancer Awareness Bouquet and/or a 6 inch mini rose plant while at their local Sobeys October 13th through October 19th. One dollar from each bouquet and mini rose plant sold will be donated back to CBCF. Sobeys is a long-standing partner and supporter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – as an Atlantic-wide sponsor of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, through the sale of pink ribbon paper icons in-store, as a sponsor of our Tour for the Cure education campaign, and finally through an annual watermelon campaign in partnership with CH Robinson.

For more information on how to get involved, visit www.cbcf.org.

About CBCF Support & Information Programs
No one should have to face breast cancer alone — that's why CBCF offers emotional support and credible information to anyone affected by breast cancer or at increased genetic risk for developing the disease. We help women and men living with a breast cancer or high-risk diagnosis, as well as their families, friends, and caregivers – at any stage of their experience.

Support and information can be accessed in various ways:

• Toll-free helpline: 1.888.778.3100
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: support.cbcf.org

About the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) is a national community-driven charity. As the largest charitable funder of breast cancer research in Canada, CBCF's vision is to create a future without breast cancer. Since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has invested over $360 million in breast cancer research, funding more than 1,400 scientific and community grants. CBCF's investments in vital research, education, health promotion, support and information programs have led to progress in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. For more information, visit cbcf.org.

SOURCE Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

For further information: or to arrange an interview, please contact: Tonya Johnson, Senior Manager, Research and Program Communications, Email: [email protected], Phone: [phone]