Since 2004, the Scarborough Breast Health Community Action Project has celebrated a number of successes within the Scarborough community. The benefits realized from this Project will be sustained through the efforts of St. Paul’s.
Some of the notable results include serving over 2,100 under-screened women by educating them on the importance of breast health and delivering the Project activities in a multitude of languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Greek, Armenian, Tamil and Somali.
Over 300 women were able attend breast screenings, leading to the diagnosis and treatment of 3 women with early stage breast cancer. This could only have been accomplished with the help provided through this Project, support such as transportation, social and interpretation aid.
Through this project, healthcare providers, community groups and organizations across the spectrum of the social and health sectors have increased their involvement in reducing systemic barriers to immigrants and low-income women to access breast health information and services.
Important information on breast health:
- The chance of getting breast cancer increases with age, especially over the age of 50 where 80% of all cases are found;
- At least 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer had no family history of the disease;
- Women over the age of 40 should have annual breast examinations;
- Women over the age of 50 should also include a mammogram every two years;
- A mammogram can detect small cancers, the size of a pin head, before they can be felt. Although, there is no way to prevent breast cancer yet, if it is detected in the early stages there is a good chance it can be cured; and
- Through education and treatment the number of Canadians dying from breast cancer is the lowest since 1950.
- When Breast Cancer is found and treated early, there is a good chance it can be cured.
We extend special appreciation to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Ontario Chapter for funding this initiative and also to our program partners Agincourt Community Services Association, Toronto Public Health and Quantum Medical Imaging Services
Fore more information on breast health, please contact:
- St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre @ 416-493-3333
- Ontario Breast Screening Program – Scarborough (OBSP) @ 416-298-2626 www.cancercare.on.ca
- Toronto Public Health @ 416-338-7600 www.toronto.ca/health
