A message from Dr. Unjali Malhotra, FNHA Office of the Chief Medical Officer
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have limited our interactions with others and are doing what we can virtually. However, there are still some important things that must be done in-person – including getting screened regularly!
Please book your mammogram, or do a telehealth / virtual doctor of the day appointment first to discuss. It may be a challenge to get an in-person appointment or you may have concerns about sitting in a waiting room with people who may not be vaccinated. But be assured that clinics are doing their best to keep visitors safe with personal protective equipment, sterilization of surfaces and common areas, and spaced-out bookings.
Regular screening to detect problems early is very important, right after lifestyle choices (see list below) to reduce risks related to breast cancer – one of the most common cancers among First Nations women in BC. (Forty-two percent of breast cancers are linked to lifestyle, while 10 percent or less are linked to genetics, according to BC Cancer.)
There are several other ways you can help ensure your best breast health:
- Know your family history
- Be breast aware (and alert a provider if you notice a lump, bump or discharge)
- Reduce or abstain from alcohol (check out our Sober(er) for October challenge!)
- Don’t smoke
- Eat healthy foods
- Exercise regularly
- Nurture spirit and find healthy ways to manage stress
- Follow the FNHA’s four wellness streams
- Breastfeed if you can (the longer and more you breastfeed, the lower the risk of breast cancer)
- Maintain a healthy body weight (obesity is a risk factor for breast cancer)
- Get mammograms. It is best to get regular mammograms to ensure that if there is an abnormality it is found early and is more likely to be treatable. In BC, women between 40 and 74 are eligible for free mammograms, and there is a mobile mammography service that visits some First Nations communities.
- Read up on what else you can do to protect your breasts. Good sources of information include: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening/breast/breast-health/breast-density and /wp-content/uploads/migrated/WellnessSite/WellnessDocuments/Cancer-and-First-Nations-Peoples-in-BC. PDF.