our purpose
Why we care
Breast cancer is the #1 diagnosed cancer in Canadian women. One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime (if she lives to age 80).
A young woman's chance of developing breast cancer is much more infrequent:
- age 30 ... 1 in 227
- age 40 ... 1 in 68
As young women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, we often felt frustrated that the information wasn't inclusive to some of the unique challenges young women face. While many of aspects of breast cancer are a shared experience for all ages, there are some things that affect young women in a profound way, fertility being one example.
Our experience has taught us that the effects of a breast cancer diagnosis are unforgettable and they don't simply end when treatment is over. For us, having someone who understands what a breast cancer diagnosis means has made all the difference. We were grateful to have each other to lean on and share our fears, concerns and treatment challenges.
We often say that we don’t know where we would be today without the other. Neither one of us can imagine what it must be like to navigate a diagnosis alone which is what motivated us to create this community. As survivors, we both feel a strong calling to support and educate people about the devastating impact of having cancer. Through sharing our story we hope to provide a safe space for others at all stages of their journey.
Cancer has taken more from us than we cared to give away, but cancer has also given us a purpose. We believe that to truly heal from a breast cancer diagnosis you need a community to share the journey with. We hope that you will find our community of Cancer Breastie's a supportive, helpful, safe space in your journey.
Your Cancer Breastie's,
Jen & Marcia
our strategic priorities
