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Breast Health

πŸ”΅ πŸ”΅ πŸ”΅ πŸ”΅ πŸ”΅ πŸ”΅ πŸ”΅ πŸ”΄
Breast Cancer: 1 in 8 women affected in their lifetime. 

Be Breast Aware

  • Know your normal: Familiarize yourself with how your breasts look and feel so you can recognize any new changes.

  • Breasts naturally change throughout life and during your menstrual cycle. 

  • Most breast changes are not cancer, but it's important to have any new or unusual changes checked by a healthcare provider.

Mammograms and Breast Awareness Work Together

  • Being breast aware is important, but it does not replace regular breast screening.
  • Screening mammograms are the best tool available for finding breast cancer early, often before symptoms develop. Learn more about Screening mammograms

When should I see a Healthcare Provider?

Contact your healthcare provider if you notice:

  • A new lump in the breast, or underarm
  • Thickening or hardening of the breast tissue
  • Bloody or clear fluid leaking from the nipple
  • Changes in the breast size or shape
  • A nipple being pulled in or pointing differently
  • Redness, dimpling, puckering, or pitting of the skin that looks like an orange peel
  • Peeling, scaling, crusting, or flaking of the area around the nipple


πŸ“ŒNote: Do not wait for your next screening mammogram if you notice a new breast change. See a primary care provider for assessment. 


Understanding Breast Cancer Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your risk of developing breast cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled (modifiable risk factors), but others can’t (non-modifiable risk factors). 

πŸ›‘ Non-modifiable risk factors include: 
πŸ‘© Being a woman (breast cancer rates are much higher in women than men) 
πŸ‘΅ Getting older 
πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§ Family history - have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) diagnosed with breast cancer. 
🧬 Genetics (have genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2) 
πŸ” Have dense breasts. Learn more about Breast Density 
☒️ Previous chest radiation 

What can I do to reduce my risk?

While some risk factors cannot be changed, healthy lifestyle choices may help lower your risk and improve outcomes if cancer occurs. 

πŸƒπŸ₯—πŸ·πŸš­πŸ“Έ
Stay activeMaintain a healthy weightLimit alcoholAvoid smokingRoutine screening


 

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Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program
603L-7001 Mumford Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3L 2H8
Canada

Contact

Book your screening mammogram by calling:

1-800-565-0548

Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm