Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Why it matters

Five-year survival for women is close to 100% when breast cancer is found at stage 1, the earliest stage. That is why knowing your body and getting screened matter so much.

Sources: Canadian Cancer Society, Breast cancer statistics  (2026 estimates); Public Health Agency of Canada, Breast cancer; Canadian Cancer Society, Survival statistics for breast cancer  (five-year net survival by stage, based on Statistics Canada research, 2023). Survival statistics are general estimates and cannot predict any one person's outcome.

Know your normal: how to check

You do not need a special routine. The Canadian Cancer Society says there really is no right or wrong way to examine your breasts. The goal is to know how they usually look and feel, so you notice when something changes. Remember three simple words:

If you would like a simple way to start, here is one approach:

1. Arms at sides Hands on hips Arms raised
   Step

   Look in the mirror

   Stand in front of a mirror and look at both breasts with your arms at your sides, then with your hands pressed on your hips, then with your arms raised.

   • Compare size, shape and symmetry.
   • Look for puckering, dimpling or skin changes.
   • Check whether a nipple has turned inward.
2. Step

   Feel with your finger pads

   Use the flat pads of your three middle fingers, not the tips. Move in small circles.

   • Use light pressure for tissue near the skin.
   • Use medium pressure to feel a little deeper.
   • Use firm pressure for tissue close to the chest and ribs.
3. Step

   Cover the whole area

   Check the entire breast area, up to the collarbone and under the arms, as well as the nipples.

   • Think of each breast as a clock face or a pie.
   • Move from the outer edge toward the nipple, one section at a time.
   • Take your time. A few minutes is enough.
4. Step

   Try lying down, or in the shower

   Lying on your back spreads the breast tissue so it is easier to feel. A pillow under your shoulder, with that arm behind your head, can help.

   • In the shower, soapy skin lets your fingers glide.
   • If you menstruate, the week after your period can be a good time, as breasts may be less tender.

Changes to tell your healthcare provider about

• A new lump in the breast or armpit
• Pain in any area of the breast
• A change in the size or shape of the breast
• Dimpling, or skin that looks like an orange peel
• A nipple that turns inward or looks flattened
• Redness or flaky skin on the breast or around the nipple
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood

Sources: Canadian Cancer Society, Know your breasts; Rethink Breast Cancer, Breast Health 101  (Touch, Look, Check); Mayo Clinic, Breast exam for breast awareness  (mirror check, pressure and pattern); Public Health Agency of Canada  (signs). Illustrations are simplified drawings.

Know your risk factors

There is no single cause of breast cancer, but some factors may increase the risk of developing the disease. Tap to open each list.

Source: Public Health Agency of Canada, Breast cancer. Risk factors are quoted from the source.

Myth or fact?

There is a lot of information out there, and not all of it is true. Tap each card to reveal the fact.

• Myth Only women get breast cancer. Tap to see the fact Fact Men can get it too. About 300 men in Canada are expected to be diagnosed in 2026.
• Myth Antiperspirants cause breast cancer. Tap to see the fact Fact The Canadian Cancer Society says there is no evidence that antiperspirants increase your risk.
• Myth Underwire bras cause breast cancer. Tap to see the fact Fact There is no reliable scientific evidence linking any type of bra, underwire or not, to breast cancer.
• Myth No family history means no risk. Tap to see the fact Fact Family history is only one risk factor. Age matters most: 83% of cases occur in women over 50.
• Myth Every breast lump is cancer. Tap to see the fact Fact Most breast changes are not cancer, and lumpiness or tenderness before a period can be normal. Get any new change checked.
• Myth I am too young to think about screening. Tap to see the fact Fact In Ontario, you can book a mammogram on your own from age 40. Talk to a healthcare provider about what is right for you.

Sources: Canadian Cancer Society, Myths and controversies, Know your breasts and Breast cancer statistics; Public Health Agency of Canada; Ontario.ca.

Screening in Ontario

Screening looks for breast cancer in people who have no signs or symptoms, often before a lump can be felt. Through the Ontario Breast Screening Program, mammograms are covered by OHIP.

• Ages 40 to 49: you can book a mammogram yourself, with no referral. Talk with a doctor, nurse practitioner or Health811 about whether it is right for you.
• Ages 50 to 74: a mammogram every 2 years is recommended. No referral is needed.
• Ages 30 to 69 at high risk: if a doctor or genetic counsellor confirms you are at high risk, yearly screening with a mammogram and an MRI or ultrasound is recommended.

Have symptoms? See a healthcare provider right away instead of waiting for a screening appointment.

Sources: Ontario.ca, Breast cancer testing and prevention; Ontario Health  (self-referral from age 40 since October 8, 2024; more than 240 screening locations).