Jul 21, 2010- 1:46 PM
Breast Cancer affects both women and men
Zinn was joined at Tom Davies Square on July 21 by her daughter, Debbie Bonhomme, as Greater Sudbury Mayor John Rodriguez proclaimed this week Paint Canada Pink Week.
Zinn, 75, was diagnosed with breast cancer nine years ago this October.
“I was in shock when I was diagnosed,” she said. The support she said she received from family, especially her grandchildren and friends, made a difference for her.
“I was loved by many,” she said. “My advice to those who have been diagnosed is to be very very positive. Every morning say to yourself when you get up 'I will be OK today.'”
Bonhomme, 55, said it was a scary time for the family when her mother was diagnosed and undergoing treatment. It is a circumstance the city's mayor has experienced himself.
“A year and a half ago my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer,” he told those gathered at Tom Davies Square. “She is a survivor. We are here today to support those who are survivors.”
The event was organized by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and its CIBC Run for the Cure committee.
The annual run takes place at Cambrian College, and last year the more than 1,500 participating runners raised more than $275,000 for breast cancer research.
This year will be the 13th year for the run. About 75 per cent of the money raised in the event helps fund breast cancer research locally, Mary Katherine Coady, director for the CIBC run, said.
In 2010, an estimated 23,200 women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation said in a release. That is an increase of 500 from 2009. On average 445 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer every week.
One in nine Canadian women are expected to develop breast cancer during their lifetime. Out of the total, 950 breast cancer cases are in women under the age of 40.
The disease is most common in women, but is not limited to them. Men can get breast cancer also.
An estimated 180 Canadian men will be diagnosed with the disease in 2010.
“When I was in chemotherapy at the Sudbury General Hospital, I saw a young man there,” Zinn said. “He was taking chemotherapy for his breast cancer. He was just 18 years old and very athletic looking.”
For more information, phone the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation at 1-866-373-6313.
