Network News - Winter/Spring 2010 - Canadian Breast Cancer ...

e part of a remarkable Board of
Directors, with passionate, hardworking
Board members and
staff.
I know that my time with
CBCN will be very exciting.
This year, our work will include
the possibility of organizing a
second National Conference
for Young Women Living with
Breast Cancer, provided that we
can raise sufficient funds. We
will also continue to respond
to critical issues such as the
new recommendations from
the United States Preventive
Services Task Force (USPSTF),
which advise against the use
of mammography screening
before age 50. The USPSTF
also recommends against the
practice of breast self-examination
(BSE) as a screening tool for women of
any age. CBCN disagrees with these
recommendations from the USPSTF.
We strongly support mammography
screening in Canada, starting from
age 40, and we urge women to
continue practicing BSE as a way of
familiarizing yourself with monthly
changes in your breasts and to seek
medical attention if you discover
something that feels unusual. Women
have been practicing BSE for years.
I myself began performing BSE soon
after my dear friend passed away in
1982. These recommendations have
caused quite a bit of controversy and
will likely continue to be doubted
and disputed by several medical and
survivor-based communities.
This edition of Network News revolves
around the familial breast cancer
susceptibility or BRCA genes. I learned
Jackie Manthorne and incoming President Cathy Ammendolea present plaque of appreciation to past President Diana Ermel
a great deal about BRCA genes over
the past few years. I support the
Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer
Foundation (HBOC Foundation) in
my home city of Montreal. HBOC
Foundation states that, “In some
populations, as many as 1 in 40 women
has certain alterations in their basic
genetic code, commonly referred to
as BRCA mutations. In the absence of
risk reducing strategies, these women
have as high as a 90 percent life time
risk of developing breast cancer, and a
40 percent life time risk of developing
ovarian cancer. BRCA mutations are
inherited, so this change in the genetic
code may be passed from parents to
children, putting future generations at
risk.”
Years have gone by since Vi
introduced herself to me. A disease
that was often concealed in the past is
now being discussed more openly. I
often wonder how much the lady with
the bright smile and warm manner
would appreciate the hard work of
such a large number of individuals
and organizations, dedicated to the
concerns of all Canadians affected by
breast cancer and for those at risk as
well.
This is to Vi for making a difference in
my life. •
Cathy Ammendolea is a 10-year breast
cancer survivor who has been involved
with several breast cancer organizations
in addition to the Canadian Breast
Cancer Network. She has been a volunteer
for nine years for a local hospital
in Montreal, working as a patient
navigator and psychosocial volunteer
with the Gynecological Oncology team
at the Segal Cancer Centre at the Jewish
General Hospital. She is also a patient
representative on the McGill University
Integrated Health Network (RUIS).
Network News Winter/Spring 2010 3