Breast cancer is a complex disease with no known single cause. To help Canadians better understand the disease, its causes and risk factors, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation funds research into breast cancer prevention. We translate research findings about risk reduction into practical actions and concrete steps we can all take now to help reduce our risk.

We believe the more we know about breast cancer risk reduction, the better equipped we are to make healthier choices. There are many steps you can start taking in your everyday life to benefit your long-term breast health. That’s what this campaign is all about.

This section provides valuable evidence-based information to help you understand breast cancer risk reduction and prepare you for action.

Reducing your breast cancer risk
You can take action now to reduce your risk of breast cancer and engage your family, friends, and community.

According to the World Cancer Research Fund one-third of the most common cancers Canadians face, including breast cancer, can be prevented with regular physical activity, a more balanced diet, and a healthier body weight. Research has also confirmed that by reducing our alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and avoiding second hand smoke, we help to reduce our breast cancer risk, as well as the risks of other cancers and chronic diseases. In some areas of breast cancer prevention research, the science continues to grow and, although not conclusive, evidence demonstrates the potential for harm, including the increased risk of breast cancer. This includes exposure to toxic chemicals in our homes, workplaces and communities.

Taking precautions for your health
When we face scientific uncertainty, we have options. We can choose to do nothing and wait for more research to be done. Or, if we think there is potential for harm, we can choose to take preventive action now – this is what’s known as the precautionary principle.

The precautionary principle is an approach to preventing harm to human health and the environment from chemical use and exposure, when the scientific evidence is not conclusive. It is a powerful tool that has been used to inform legal decisions and shape public policy. Some examples of this include bans on Bisphenol A (BPA) in Canada, pesticide use in Canadian municipalities, and chemicals in cosmetics in Europe.

The Foundation supports the use of the precautionary principle as a way to apply evolving breast cancer prevention evidence in our daily lives. By following the precautionary principle in your life, when scientific evidence is inconclusive you put your health first and err on the side of caution.

Science may not have all the answers yet, but that doesn’t mean you are powerless. There are many practical actions and concrete steps you can take now to help reduce your breast cancer risk.

We encourage you to take precautions that put your health and the health of others first. Individual change is a first step. Advocating for change to improve the environments we all live and work in is the next so that healthier choices are the easy, accessible and affordable options.

Understanding health risks
We all face risks to our health and well-being, and understanding these risks can enable us to reduce them.

Health risks are often described in terms of risk factors. A risk factor is something that may increase your chance of developing a disease.

Established breast cancer risk factors are supported by a body of research with conclusive evidence that is confirmed by different sources and studies. This means that established risk factors have been linked to the development of breast cancer, although they may not be a direct cause.

All women are at some risk of breast cancer. While the majority of women in Ontario (approximately 80%) are at average risk, some are at a higher risk. Depending on the degree of personal risk, there are different strategies for breast cancer risk reduction and screening to detect the disease earlier. Learn more about your breast cancer risk and how to reduce it.

Acting on health risks
Preventive health is about making your health and well-being a priority. As we juggle the tasks in our busy lives, health and well-being often get forgotten.

When you practice preventive health, you take action, informed by evidence-based knowledge or the precautionary principle, to improve your chances of good health and to help stop disease and chronic health issues before they start.

Understanding the factors that influence your risk of breast cancer allows you to make risk-reducing changes in your everyday life. Take some time to explore this website and learn how you can take positive action to promote your breast health and reduce your risk of breast cancer.

It may be useful to bear in mind that breast cancer is a complex disease with no single known cause. Risk reduction is not a guarantee against developing breast cancer – but it does offer concrete actions we can all take in our lives now to help reduce that risk and improve our overall health and well-being.

Join us in the campaign to stop breast cancer before it starts. Encourage people in your life to join the campaign too.