Breast cancer.
It's a diagnosis that stops us in our tracks, carrying so much weight, fear, and uncertainty. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, it’s estimated that as of 2025, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and 1 in 35 will die from it.
Those stats are scary! However, cancer is complex diagnosis with many contributing factors--some under our control, and some not under our control at all.
Instead of getting stuck in the fear, what if we focused on what we can influence?
In a recent episode of Phase to Phase: The Hormone Health Show, I sat down with Dr. Ashley Chauvin, ND, who focuses in cancer survivorship and menopause. We unpacked the confusing science to help you focus on actual risk reduction.
Here is a breakdown of what you need to know to stack the deck in your favor.
Before we dive into risk factors, let’s clear something up: cancer is not a punishment. If you get cancer, it is not because you* "did something wrong.*" Cancer biology is incredibly complex, and there are several risk factors completely out of your control, like:
While we can't guarantee prevention, we can stack the deck in our favour. As you do that, you'll automatically be improving longevity while decreasing the risk of other chronic illnesses like heart disease and coginitive decline! Here are the big-ticket items recommended by the World Cancer Research Fund for reducing your risk:
Dr. Ashley also tackled some of the most common misinformation floating around the internet with me.
Myth: Soy causes breast cancer. False!. Old studies from the 90s linking soy to cancer were done on rats, which process estrogen completely differently than humans do. Human studies consistently show that soy (like edamame or tofu) is safe, beneficial, and actually decreases the risk of breast cancer. It’s packed with calcium, fibre, and plant-based protein.
**Myth: Thermography is a safe substitute for a mammogram.**False. Thermography is never an appropriate substitute for a mammogram. It can miss concerning things and pick up benign things, leading to delays in real, life-saving care. You can still do thermograph if you want (although all guidelines advise against it because it doesn't offer helpful data); however, it would be in ADDITION to a mammogram. The amount of radiation in a mammogram is incredibly small (you likely get more cumulative radiation just moving through the world or flying in an airplane over the year).
Myth: Hormone Therapy causes cancer. Menopausal hormone therapy does not cause breast cancer. While it can affect breast density (making regular screening essential), the risk is highly nuanced. Even individuals with BRCA gene mutations are not automatically disqualified from receiving hormone therapy and should discuss their care with their medical team.
You can't tell if your breasts are dense by feeling them or by looking at their size. The only way to know is through a mammogram.
No screening is perfect, but the goal is to catch cancer before it impacts your survival. For average-risk individuals, mammograms should start at age 40 and happen every two years up to age 75. If you notice changes in your breasts (like swelling, indentations, or changes in symmetry) speak up and get it checked out. No one ever regretted getting a lump checked out that turned out to be benign.
Figuring out your personal risk factors, hormone health, and lifestyle habits doesn't have to be a solo journey. Both, Dr. Ashley and I, work with patients across Ontario in a hybrid model virtually, and in-person in Innisfil and Sharon (she works in Burlington). If you’re ready to stack the deck in your favour and have supportive, evidence-based conversations about your health, go book an appointment!
