Breast cancer experts will gather in Calgary today for a public discussion about a range of issues connected to the most common cancer among Canadian women.
The Alberta Cancer Foundation is hosting Positively Pink: Taking on Breast Cancer in Southern Alberta at the Calgary Telus Convention Centre, 120 9 Ave. S.E., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Topics include risk factors, male breast cancer, the heredity factor, treatment options, body image and sexuality, supporting loved ones with cancer and keys to prevention.
Breast cancer survivor Rhonda Pitre-Blakney is attending the forum and said it will be beneficial to current patients, as well as those who have beaten the disease.
Pitre-Blakney, diagnosed last fall at age 41, said an educational breast cancer forum would have been a big help to her and others in the early stages of the disease.
“I know every one of us wishes we could have had this last year,” she said .
The mother of two young kids said breast cancer patients are bombarded with information after diagnosis and being able to attend an event to learn about it with others would have been worthwhile.
“Your mind races at a million miles a minute,” said Pitre-Blakney.
In 2006, an estimated 22,200 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
