Breast Cancer Research in Canada

Posted on October 31, 2025October 31, 2025 by pathwp

Empower yourself with knowledge: How CanPath is reshaping breast cancer research in Canada For decades, race and ethnicity have been largely missing from breast cancer research in Canada. The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath) is working to close that gap by studying how screening participation, treatments, risk factors, and outcomes differ across racial and ethnic groups, with the goal of informing more equitable, evidence-based screening guidelines. CanPath is Canada’s largest population health study, supported by over 330,000 participants across Canada who provide life-changing health data to help our researchers uncover important links between lifestyle, genetics and health. This October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and with a recent $300K investment from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), CanPath is highlighting the amazing work from our researchers to examine differences in breast cancer screening participation, treatments, and outcomes by race and ethnicity, and identify how risk factors vary across groups. Through this research, CanPath plans to inform more equitable screening guidelines and prevention approaches by providing currently missing data on race and ethnicity, helping to ensure that breast cancer screening reflects the diverse needs of all Canadian women. “Empower yourself with knowledge about your personal risk factors, family history of disease and seek out regular screening given that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime,” advises Prof. Victoria Kirsh, CanPath’s Scientific Coordinator and Assistant Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (DLSPH). “CanPath is an amazing resource with a rich data set on lifestyle, environment, genetic, and dietary data so the research possibilities are really endless”. CanPath is committed to a future without cancer and is dedicated to providing the necessary research to transition this goal into reality for all women. What has been missing Canada’s population continues to change with a growing diverse population, yet little information is out there about the effects of race and cancer outcomes. Genetics, lifestyle and environment all play key roles in risk for cancers however the effect of race remains understudied. “I think the project as a whole is inspiring to begin with, we’re looking at racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes, and that’s something that has been on the back burner or not even investigated for a really, really long time,” highlights Fatima Zulfiqar, a CanPath practicum student who spent her summer supporting this project’s development. “I know that there are various women of color who have certain predispositions when it comes to breast cancer and so having this conversation and looking at the nuances that race plays in breast cancer outcomes is important.” Historically, marginalized groups have been left out of research, leading to issues with generalizing findings to a larger population. Issues with accessibility to breast cancer care continue to persist and require a deeper dive to tear down the barriers within healthcare. “It’s very important to study [breast cancer] and look at it and understand it from a real life perspective of how it’s impacting women, who are seeking care or not seeking care and what those differences are and how we can probe them and explore them and hopefully make breast cancer care and diagnosis more accessible to all of them,” said Marilla Hulls, an MPH Epidemiology practicum student who supported another CanPath project objective related to breast cancer screening. Be the link that bridges the gap Much remains to be uncovered in breast cancer research, and CanPath is committed to supporting young researchers in their journey to create a long-lasting impact within the field. These upcoming researchers are working to close evidence gaps in breast cancer risk, screening and outcomes across racial and ethnic groups in Canada. “If you’re looking for an area that’s really impactful, we know that breast cancer affects a lot of people in Canada. Even if it’s not yourself that has breast cancer, you probably know someone who has breast cancer or who has been affected,” says Ashley Mah, a doctoral student working on the project. “This is a really great area of research to work in and it’s really collaborative and you get to meet so many amazing people including clinicians, other researchers, students, trainees as well as patients”. Breast cancer research is only made possible by the participation of Canadians who offer their information to provide the necessary data to drive new discoveries. Our participants make it possible to analyze patterns in screening, diagnosis and treatment across diverse communities and their dedication does not go unappreciated. “Going through the process has taught me a lot. Those numbers are not just data points, they’re actually human beings, they have volunteered their information to help us make our research move forward and it’s very rewarding,” says Feifan Xiang, a data analyst for the study. More to be done Acknowledging the effect of breast cancer on the public is just the beginning of a dedicated investigation to making breast cancer screening more widely available, comprehensive and culturally appropriate to ensure women everywhere receive the care they need. CanPath is continually working to link cancer databases with participant information to analyze screening results, including recall and biopsy rates, and inform more equitable prevention, detection and treatment strategies in Canada. For more information, please contact: Megan FlemingCommunications & Knowledge Translation OfficerCanadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath)info@canpath.ca

Message from the Minister of Health – Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on October 8, 2025October 8, 2025 by pathwp

From: Public Health Agency of Canada Statement from the Minister of Health, The Honourable Marjorie Michel P.C., M.P. October 8, 2025 | Ottawa, Ontario | Public Health Agency of Canada “Breast cancer remains one of the most common forms of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women in Canada. One in eight women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. That’s why the Government of Canada works closely with partners and stakeholders to promote breast cancer awareness, prevention and screening for early detection. Empowering women to make informed decisions about their health can save lives. …Important work is happening to help us better understand breast cancer trends and risks to better respond to the diverse needs of women across Canada. For example, we have partnered with the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health and Statistics Canada to accelerate breast cancer data analysis based on factors such as age, race and ethnicity. As well, experts are enhancing the OncoSim-Breast model that was developed by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and Statistics Canada, by including data on breast density and exploring the inclusion of race-based data to better predict breast cancer outcomes and inform decision making. Breast cancer touches the lives of so many every day. Nobody should have to face this disease alone. If you or a loved one is coping with a cancer diagnosis, there are many ways you can seek support. Visit the Canadian Cancer Society’s community services locator, which helps cancer patients, caregivers and health care providers find the services they need.”

The Government of Canada highlights progress on breast cancer screening research and implementation in Canada

Posted on March 7, 2025 by pathwp

News release Ottawa, Ontario | Public Health Agency of Canada Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. One in eight women in Canada is expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Raising awareness of breast cancer screening, which aims to detect cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage, is a priority for the Government of Canada. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the health of women by addressing knowledge gaps in breast cancer screening and prevention. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), in collaboration with federal, provincial and territorial experts and stakeholders, hosted the event Closing the Gap: Action for Equity in Breast Cancer Screening. This event discussed improving accessibility and inclusivity in breast cancer screening, especially for underserved populations. Participants shared lessons learned and best practices that will be compiled into a resource guide that will be shared broadly across all jurisdictions to help improve equitable implementation of breast cancer screening in Canada. PHAC is working closely with Statistics Canada to conduct analyses of national cancer trends, including examining differences in breast cancer rates based on where people live, their age and ethnicity. This will support informed and data driven breast cancer screening policy. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and partners have developed a multi-disciplinary roadmap that identifies research gaps for breast cancer screening and provides recommendations to guide future research activities in Canada. The roadmap summarizes what was heard from partners alongside key research areas and strategies to support breast cancer research in Canada. The Government of Canada is also working directly with our partners, like the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health and the Canadian Cancer Society, to generate better data to inform breast cancer screening practices and raise awareness of its importance in Canada. Together, these initiatives support collaborative and scientific research, data collection, and public health guidance for breast cancer screening in Canada. Quotes “I would like to thank our partners and stakeholders for their commitment to overcome barriers and improve access to breast cancer screening in Canada. Awareness and access to breast cancer screening will make life changing differences for the health of Canadians.” The Honourable Mark Holland Minister of Health “Breast cancer touches the lives of so many, either through a personal diagnosis or that of a loved one. Through this work and the dedication of our partners, we are taking important steps to safeguard women’s physical and mental health.” The Honourable Ya’ara Saks Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health Quick facts Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women living in Canada, after non-melanoma skin cancer. While it can also be found in men, male breast cancer is a very rare occurrence. Breast cancer screening is used to detect cancer in people who do not have any signs or symptoms. This differs from diagnostic testing, which is used when someone does have signs or symptoms (e.g., a lump). The Government of Canada recognizes and respects that each province and territory has unique needs and different approaches to breast cancer screening. Provincial and territorial governments are responsible for diagnosis, treatment, services, programming and education. Associated links Canadian Cancer Society – Get your mammogram Canadian Partnership For Tomorrow’s Health Government of Canada invests in breast cancer research and public awareness Contacts Matthew Kronberg Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Mark Holland Minister of Health 343-552-5654 Callum Haney Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Ya’ara Saks Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health 343-576-4407 Media Relations Health Canada 613-957-2983 media@hc-sc.gc.ca Public Inquiries 613-957-2991 1-866-225-0709