Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among Canadian women, with one in eight women being diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Every year, more than 4,000 women in British Columbia will be diagnosed with this disease.

The risk of breast cancer increases with age, and research shows that 5-10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary. This is why it’s vital to get regular screenings, as there is a 25% reduction in deaths from breast cancer for people who get screened and a 92% survival rate for those facing breast cancer diagnosed at an early stage.

What You Need to Know about Breast Cancer

Breast cancer impacts the fatty layer found between the skin and underlying muscle on the front of the chest and can impact both women and men — in B.C., 10-30 new cases of male breast cancer are diagnosed each year.

Signs and symptoms include any changes in your breasts, like a new lump or nipple discharge. They also include a change in size of an entire breast, thickening of the breast, a new nipple inversion, dimpling or puckering of the skin of the breast, a new lump in the armpit, or red, swollen or hot breast(s).

Risk factors for breast cancer include age, family history, ethnic background, dietary choices and weight. Women aged 40 years and older should schedule regular screening mammograms (breast x-rays), even if they do not have symptoms, to detect breast cancer before it has spread.

How is BC Cancer Advancing Breast Cancer Research and Care?

Donor support has helped BC Cancer’s team drive leading-edge innovation in breast cancer research. As global leaders, they collaborate worldwide to deliver life-saving care for those facing breast cancer.

Precision Medicine for Breast Cancer Research

Led by Dr. Sam Aparicio, head of Breast and Molecular Oncology at BC Cancer Research, the team studies breast cancer to uncover its nature and develop new treatments. BC Cancer has achieved key breakthroughs, including identifying 10 subtypes of breast cancer, analyzing tumour changes over time, and testing a brand-new class of therapies for different types of breast cancer.

Circulating Tumour DNA (ctDNA) Analysis

Scientists can now uncover valuable information about a person’s breast cancer by examining ctDNA — tumour DNA that is shed into the bloodstream. Performing blood biopsies using ctDNA — which is safer and less intrusive than a typical biopsy — can help clinicians anticipate relapses up to two years before they occur, uncover more information about a person’s breast cancer and select effective treatments.

Genetic Testing

With donor support, BC Cancer’s Hereditary Cancer Program has launched a pilot project in Vancouver that offers genetic testing for all breast cancer patients under 60 to identify genetic mutations that increase cancer risk, including the BRCA mutation. Women carrying the BRCA mutation have a 70% chance of developing breast cancer.

Early Genetic Origins of Breast Cancer

A team of researchers, including Dr. Aparicio, have discovered cancer-like mutations in healthy breast cells, which may explain the early origins of breast cancer. These findings could further experts’ understanding of cancer risk, leading to improved detection methods and potential preventative strategies.