October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Niagara Health is reminding women aged 50 to 74 to book a mammogram.
An estimated 12,000 women in Ontario will get breast cancer this year, and one in eight will get it during their life.
Niagara Health says about 83 percent of the province's breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women over the age of 50.
"The two most important factors when it comes to cancer is prevention and early detection," says Dr. Anthony Bonifacio, Radiologist and Breast Imaging Lead at Niagara Health. "Women aged 50-74 are encouraged to be screened for breast cancer every two years with mammography. If there's a problem, it will be detected very early and treated appropriately."
Dr. Bonifacio also notes lifestyle choices are important.
"There is plenty of literature that demonstrates the association between increased cancer risk and alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of physical activity, and not eating enough fruits and vegetables," he says.
The Ontario Breast Screening Program recommends women aged 50 to 74 get mammograms every two years.
Women aged 30 to 69 who meet the eligibility criteria for the High-Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program can get screened every year with mammography and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a screening breast ultrasound.
Niagara Health's sites in Welland, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines offer breast screening services.
To find out more or book an appointment, click here.
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