Mr. Speaker, the month of October is devoted to breast cancer prevention and to increasing public awareness of this disease.
The mortality rate for this cancer has decreased 25% since 1985 among women aged 50 to 70. Every year, however, over 5,400 Canadian women still lose their lives to this disease and 20,500 are diagnosed.
It is therefore important to make women more aware that they need to take regular advantage of existing screening techniques, both personal and clinical, to protect themselves from breast cancer or ensure the best possible response to treatment. We know that early detection can boost the survival rate to 80%.
Let us spread the word so that increased awareness will mean an increased chance of a cure.