VANCOUVER, BC – An innovative new resource is now available for BC women looking to reduce their risk of breast cancer. The Breast Cancer Prevention & Risk Assessment Clinic opened its doors on October 20th with primary funding from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – BC/Yukon Region and is supported by BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre. Through this initiative, Vancouver will have the first breast cancer prevention and risk assessment clinic for women not at genetically increased risk of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canadian women. Many women believe that heredity is the most important factor in developing breast cancer; however, genetic factors account for only five to ten percent of diagnoses. Conversely, nearly half of all breast cancer diagnoses are due to preventable, non-genetic factors. The Breast Cancer Prevention & Risk Assessment Clinic will provide women with concrete tools to help them improve their risk profile, particularly by focusing on weight management, increased physical activity, good nutrition and limited alcohol consumption.

Dr. Carolyn Gotay is the clinic’s Principal Investigator. Dr. Gotay is a Professor at the University of British Columbia, and she holds the Canadian Cancer Society Chair in Cancer Primary Prevention. Throughout her distinguished career in cancer research, Dr. Gotay became increasingly concerned that many women at risk for breast cancer were not receiving the guidance they needed. “Almost 40 percent of breast cancers in Canada are preventable,” states Dr. Gotay, “but women are not aware that their daily activities can have a tremendous impact on their breast health. Our goal at the clinic is to reach women who can significantly reduce their breast cancer risk through improved lifestyle choices.”

The clinic offers services that include risk assessment questionnaires, consultation with a senior medical oncologist, individual lifestyle counselling, referral to community resources and follow-up assessments. Located on the BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre site, the clinic is available by referral only, and will operate one morning and one afternoon each week.

The BC/Yukon Region of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) was established in 1992 to make a difference in breast cancer and breast health for BC women. Every year, the Foundation, along with its donors, sponsors and partners, raises funds to support unique and innovative initiatives across the areas of prevention, early detection, treatment, research and emerging issues in the health care workforce. The BC/Yukon Region is committed to seeing a future without the fear of breast cancer by the year 2020.

BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, provides services for pregnant women, newborns and women with specialized health needs from across the province. BC Women’s is an academic health centre affiliated with the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and the Women’s Health Research Institute. For more information, please visit www.bcwomens.ca.

-30-

To schedule an interview opportunity with Dr. Carolyn Gotay, please contact Jennifer Parisi, Communications Director, CCS-UBC Centre for Cancer Prevention at jen.parisi@ubc.ca, or call 604-822-6108.


Media contact:

Jennifer Parisi, Communications Director
CCS-UBC Centre for Cancer Prevention
Email jen.parisi@ubc.ca
Phone 604-822-6108