One in nine.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, if you’re a woman living in Canada, those numbers are of critical importance to you because they represent your chances of being diagnosed with breast cancer some time in your life.
And one out of every three of those women will die—unless the ongoing research yields results soon.
That’s why every two years for the last 10, the Rainy River District Breast Health Network holds a “Luncheon of Hope” to increase community awareness of the disease that is diagnosed more than any other cancer in Canadian women.
At each luncheon, the network brings in a professional from some field related to breast cancer to rally the troops and drive home the significance of the disease that’s expected to kill 5,300 Canadian women in 2003 alone.
This year’s luncheon was held Saturday at La Place Rendez-Vous, where 240 women from across the district listened attentively as guest speaker Jackie Lampi-Hughes offered her advice on the subject.
Network member Teresa Hazel, who was accompanied by her daughter, Jessica, introduced Lampi-Hughes to the crowd with a brief history of her own.
Hazel brought the issue home by informing them that she—as virtually everyone will be at some point—has been personally touched by the disease. Her mother died of breast cancer nine years ago at the age of 46.
“Although she’s not a survivor, she has been inspirational in getting us involved as a family,” said Hazel.
And that, said Jessica, is why she has been coming to the “Luncheon of Hope” for six years. Although only 15, she already is aware of the toll breast cancer takes on families.
Originally from Fort Frances and now living in Dryden, Lampi-Hughes is not your typical mainstream health-care advisor. She is a registered massage therapist and fitness instructor, but who has a fundamental message for those in attendance.
“Exercise really can prevent breast cancer,” she said. “Women who are physically active have a 30 percent better chance of avoiding it.”
Lampi-Hughes noted 50 percent of Canadians, and 13 percent of children, are overweight due to a combination of poor diet and lack of exercise. And that, she said, is the one significant risk factor that can be addressed by anyone.
Other factors, such as family history, are beyond the individual’s control, but Lampi-Hughes pointed out heredity appears to play only a minor role in determining whether a woman will develop the disease.
“Ninety percent of women who develop breast cancer never had a family history,” she remarked.
Lampi-Hughes stressed the importance of maintaining a healthy weight through a combination of exercise and smart eating—and by avoiding excessive alcohol and fats. Dieting alone is not the answer.
“Crash diets just don’t work,” she claimed. “They merely decrease your metabolism. The best way to lose weight is through exercise.”
Lampi-Hughes suggested women should learn to eat smaller portions more frequently and choose foods that appear to have anti-cancer properties, such as whole grains, olive oil, garlic, onions, and cooked tomato products.
She also stressed the importance of drinking water—lots of water—whenever possible. The Canada Food Guide, she suggested, is a good place to start, but she recommended modifying it slightly to increase the amount of protein and reduce the carbohydrates.
Her ideal formula is 50 percent carbs, 30 percent fat, and 20 percent protein.
But the most important thing is still exercise.
“Exercise has multiple benefits,” she remarked. “It not only increases your heart efficiency and strengthens bones and muscles, it makes you feel good.”
Lampi-Hughes isn’t suggesting everyone go out and start training for a marathon. Twenty to 60 minutes a day, three to five times a week, is enough.
“Make it enjoyable,” she said. “Set realistic, short-term goals. That way you’re more likely to stick with it.”
To show how easy it can be, Lampi-Hughes had the audience on their feet and jumped and danced them through a five-minute routine that left them—if not breathless—at least laughing.
Of course, there are other things women can do to protect themselves and many of them are available locally through Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc. These include mammograms, counselling services, courses in breast self-examination, and a network of professionals and non-professionals to answer questions.
In April, 2000, the facility achieved accreditation by the Ontario Breast Screening Program.
After the luncheon, Hazel noted her daughter was not the only young woman present and that, she said, is a positive sign the message is getting out there.
“I definitely noticed some younger women there and that’s encouraging to see,” she remarked.
The “Luncheon of Hope” was sponsored by B-93 FM, the Fort Frances Times, the Canadian Cancer Society, Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc., Safeway, Crazy Ladies Fabrics, Pharmasave, and Gagné’s.
For more information on breast health, contact the Rainy River District Breast Health Network at 274-1900. You also can reach the Canadian Cancer Society at 1-888-939-3333 or online at www.cancer.ca
Fort Frances Times
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