The incidents of breast cancer have risen significantly in modern times. It is a serious disease that affects 1 Canadian woman out of 8 during her lifetime. The incidents are rarer in men but still exist. If we go by statistics, 230 men and 26,300 women in Canada had been diagnosed in 2017 with breast cancer. Per hour, at least 3 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada.
The number of deaths is also not to ignore- 43 men and 5,000 women have been thought to have died in 2017 due to breast cancer.
There are a number of causes of breast cancer and lack of awareness among the public about the disease. But many organizations and institutes are engaged in research and study of the disease while devising and implementing solutions to prevent the disease. An important organization fighting for the cause of breast cancer is the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS).
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) is also another crucial name when it comes to the fight against breast cancer. Recently, both of them have come together to strengthen the fight and educate the public about the disease.
The merger of CBCF and CCS: what does it mean?
CCS invests in research and treatment of all types of cancer but focuses on breast cancer as a priority. The organization joined hands with the CBCF in February, 2017 to improve their operations and efficiency.
CCS generally works with all sorts of cancer and has invested $1.2 billion over the course of 30 years on all cancers out of which $100 million had been spent in breast cancer. The merger with CBCF enables the organization to invest on breast cancer and provide necessary support for people suffering from the disease.
CBCF itself was established in 1986 and invested over $360 million in the area of breast cancer. It has also provided the funds for more than 1,400 community and scientific grants. CBCF also takes part in educating the patients and promote their health providing support and information so that they can lead their lives normally.
The support programs provided through the collaboration of the organizations aim to empower the patients and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. CBCF has now become a part of CCS but the spirit, activities, and mandates of the former are very much alive. Together the organizations have committed to fight breast cancer and remove the fear of the disease from the land of Canada.
How does it make a difference?
Breast cancer continues to be a major cause of death the world over among women, and that can be largely avoided with the right precautions.
Both the organizations can help in programs which will prevent, treat and make it possible to detect breast cancer at an early stage so that it can be effectively treated. It can be made possible through awareness and education campaigns directed at the public.
