'Breast screening really does save lives'

Since the late 1980s, when breast screening was introduced in Canada, the mortality rate of one of the deadliest diseases for women has decreased by almost 40 per cent.

"Breast screening really does save lives," said Janice Dawes, senior director with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF).

It's a message the foundation is trying to spread across the province this summer, and it's happening aboard a pink tour bus.

The Pink Bus Tour made a stop in Sudbury at Summerfest Saturday to start a conversation with women about their choices for breast cancer screening.

"One thing that we're learning is that women between the ages of 50 to 74, only 42 per cent of them are signing up for breast cancer screening," Dawes said.

Research demonstrates that in most cases, detecting cancer sooner means more treatment options, a better quality of life and a better chance of surviving the disease, the CBCF website stated.

The Pink Tour Bus makes breast cancer and breast health a more approachable topic, said Dawes, a breast cancer survivor herself.

"When you go on the bus, you'll see some audio visuals, and there's a little quiz for women to take so they can learn a few things," she said. "We have brochures now available to educate in 14 different languages, so they're trying to get to all of our demographics.

"And at the very end of the bus, women can sign up for a breast screening program, if they're between the ages of 50 and 74."

Those who take a stroll through the bus are also asked to sign it once they step off.

"That's a pledge that they are supportive of our cause, as well as trying to tell their friends and famiiles about what they've just experienced," Dawes said.

The tour began in May and will visit 90 different communities across the province by October — breast cancer awareness month.

"We want to get 30,000 people through the bus," Dawes said.
"Right now we have about 27,500 through and I think we'll exceed our target."

For more information about the Pink Bus Tour or breast cancer, visit www.cbcf.org.