New report shows Ontario facing a 30 per cent jump in breast cancer cases by 2030

Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims to transform awareness into action

TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2015 /CNW/ - As part of its first-ever report that forecasts cancer cases, the Canadian Cancer Society estimates that breast cancer cases in Ontario will hit 12,730 by 2030, up 30 per cent compared with 2015. The increase, driven primarily by the aging population, poses substantial challenges for quality of treatment and services in the province in the years to come.  

To launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Canadian Cancer Society is challenging Canadians to take action against the most common cancer among Canadian women with 1 in 9 touched by the disease.

"Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women," says  Dr. Katie Wright, Senior Manager of Research Communications, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. "Thanks to investments in research and improvements in detection and therapies, we have made tremendous progress in the survival rates of breast cancer, but more needs to be done. With cases set to soar, we must act now."

The Society is offering several options for Ontarians to support the fight against breast cancer:

• To support research, women can paint their nails pink at The Ten Spot and other select salons across the province and men can raise money by fundraising to paint their nails pink as part of the Society's ManiCURES campaign;
• Help raise money by volunteering to sell pink ribbons for the Society or host their own fundraiser;
• Ontarians 50 and older can talk to their doctor about getting a mammogram;
• Women can also become a Society Women to Women ambassador, where they can educate other women in their lives about breast cancer and screening;
• Visit takeaction.cancer.ca and support the call for better access and support for take home cancer drugs.

Through the generous support of donors, the Society has invested more than $100-million in life-saving breast cancer research, leading to more than 26,000 lives saved across Canada since the 1980s. Thanks to research, more is known about how to prevent breast cancer and detect it early, treatments are more targeted and effective, and more is known about how to reduce the risk of breast cancer returning after treatment.

"The upcoming surge in cases highlights the need to put more emphasis on cancer prevention so we can help stop cancer before it starts," says John Atkinson, Director, Cancer Prevention, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. "Prevention, increased screening and greater investments in research will better prepare us to meet the challenges we are facing ahead."

The Society supports breast cancer patients and families in communities throughout Ontario with information and support programs. Each year, Society information specialists answer more than 50,000 inquiries by phone and e-mail related to more than 200 different types of cancer, including breast cancer. The Society also offers peer to peer support programs, online support communities and transportation programs that can assist patients in getting back and forth to cancer treatments and appointments.

The expected 30 per cent increase in breast cancer cases by 2030 is outlined in the Society's Canadian Cancer Statistics 2015 report. The Canadian Cancer Society publishes the report annually in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Statistics Canada.   

For more information and details for how to get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month visit cancer.ca/fightbreastcancer or call 1-888-939-3333.

About the Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization dedicated to preventing cancer, saving lives and supporting people living with cancer through research funding, services and advocacy. We are Canada's largest charity fighting all types of cancer and leading authority on cancer statistics and information. To learn more, call 1-888-939-3333 or visit www.cancer.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division)

Image with caption: "Canadian Cancer Society infographic (CNW Group/Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150924_C8345_PHOTO_EN_505299.jpg

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