Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation marks 30 years, highlights ongoing fight
The Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation is marking 30 years during "Breast Cancer Awareness Month," but its president and CEO, Karine-Iseult Ippersiel, says the battle is far from over.
From 1994 to 2021, the number of diagnoses has doubled.
"The incidence of breast cancer is still increasing, so it's one in eight. It's an average of 6,500 women every year that will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. And unfortunately, it's still one in 36 that will die from their breast cancer. So that's about 1,300 women per year in Quebec alone," said Ippersiel.
She emphasizes that early detection is key, and the foundation is supporting research that can predict breast cancer risk based on factors like age, breast density, and family history.
"We do a saliva test to check over 300 markers. All that combined gives us a personalized risk factor on which we could base your screening, whether you're 25 years old or 50 years old," Ippersiel explained.
Annie Slight, a breast cancer survivor, agrees.
"You can look at your risk assessment and know if early screening would apply to you," said Slight, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 42.
She endured numerous surgeries and chemotherapy treatments and is now an advocate with the non-profit group Dense Breasts Canada.
"Every woman following a mammogram needs to be aware of her breast density. She needs to know that if she has dense breasts, a mammogram is important but not sufficient. There needs to be additional screening, whether it's ultrasound or MRI," Slight said.
She also implored women to check their breasts and get tested if they have concerns.
"The occurrence of breast cancer in younger women, the women featured in our campaign, were diagnosed between the ages of 24 and 39," Slight added.
She emphasized that even if someone doesn't fit the typical profile, any red flag should be taken seriously, and that breast cancer doesn't only affect women.
Superstar singer Beyoncé's father, Mathew Knowles, who is a breast cancer survivor after undergoing a mastectomy in 2019, will be a guest of The Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation later this month to share his story.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Where should Canada look to improve its housing situation? The answer may shock you
Housing experts argue widespread adoption of government-supported affordable housing, the growth of alternative models like co-operatives and co-housing, and the increased use of advanced building techniques could all play a role in improving Canada's housing system.
'2032 is not good enough': Kelly Craft says Canada has to spend faster on defence if Trump wins
A former U.S. ambassador says Canada needs to spend more on defence, and do so faster than the federal government's currently planning to, to meet the expectations of its NATO allies.
Guelph, Ont. woman says she was pushed to homelessness and 'thrown on the street'
For people living on the fringe of society, the line between the safety and security of a home and homelessness is very thin.
Flood survivors pelt Spain's royals with mud and premier is evacuated during a visit
Spain's King Felipe VI and top government officials were pelted with mud by a crowd of enraged flood survivors during the first visit by the country's leaders Sunday to the centre of the suffering.
U.K. prosecutors are mulling whether to charge Russell Brand over sex assault allegations
British prosecutors say they have been given a file of evidence from police about alleged sexual offenses by comedian Russell Brand and are considering whether to charge him.
She got on a plane to find the guy she fell for at Oktoberfest. ‘I’m going to go and find my ginger’
Mandy Suess was so certain the red-haired man she met at Oktoberfest was special that she got on a plane to go and find him
Trump wants to narrow his deficit with women but he's not changing how he talks about them
Donald Trump's campaign has used sexist and crude language, expressing alarm at the idea of women voting differently than their partners.
Most Americans believe abortion should be legal, at least in most circumstances, but it's still a flashpoint issue in JD Vance's home state
Abortion is a flashpoint in the upcoming American election, even as polls in the U.S. show most people support reproductive freedom. Abortion rights advocates tell CTV News that when candidates take a stance on that, it could influence a decision at the polling station– especially for women on who they want elected.
CTV Calgary broadcast legend Darrel Janz dies at 83
He inspired thousands of young journalists and continued telling Calgarians' stories until his last days.