Knowing Your Risk Could Help Reduce It! 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Let’s take a moment to celebrate the progress that has been made against breast cancer, while not forgetting that 1 in 8 Canadian women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

1 in 8. When we think about our friend group, or the mothers, aunts, sisters, cousins and daughters in our lives — 1 in 8 seems even higher.

Everyone can benefit by learning more about their risk of breast cancer. My Cancer IQ is a free, online tool developed by Cancer Care Ontario and Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to help you find out your personalized risk for developing breast cancer.

After knowing your risk of breast cancer, you can take the necessary steps to reduce your risk. Ways to reduce your risk include:

• Get active! Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day.
• Eat well! Enjoy a balanced diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and that is low in fat and sugar.
• Limit alcohol! Have one drink or less per day.
• Live smoke-free! Avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke.

For more information about knowing your risk, check out: Canadian Cancer Breast Foundation and/or My CancerIQ