441-01576 (Health)

The Government of Canada recognizes that breast cancer is a major health issue. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of cancer death in Canadian women. We recognize that a breast cancer diagnosis can be devastating and has an enormous impact on not only the person diagnosed, but also their family and friends.

The current breast cancer screening guideline was updated and disseminated in 2018 by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Task Force), an independent and arms-length body funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). The role of the Task Force is to develop evidence-based guidelines to support healthcare providers in primary care settings. The Task Force is comprised of up to 15 experts in primary care, public health, preventive medicine, and guideline methodology. PHAC provides scientific support to the Task Force but does not influence their independent recommendations. Task Force recommendations are advisory, and provinces and territories individually determine whether to implement them.

The current breast cancer screening guideline outlines both the benefits and harms of screening for Canadian women and stresses the importance of shared decision-making between women and their healthcare providers to support an informed decision. The guideline specifies that women under 50 who feel that they would benefit from screening can request the procedure from their physicians.

The Task Force monitors literature on a regular basis for all guideline topics. On June 7, 2023, the Task Force announced that it will expedite the scheduled review of its 2018 breast cancer screening recommendation. This review, including evidence synthesis and engagement activities is currently underway. The updated guideline is expected to be released in late fall 2023. On June 8, 2023, the Government of Canada also announced up to $500,000 in additional funding for the Task Force to help support their expedited review of this important guidance.

In collaboration with clinical partners, Statistics Canada has examined the impact of organized screening programs on breast cancer stage at diagnosis for women in their 40s and 50s, respectively. Statistics Canada and its clinical partners have also conducted an examination of 10-year breast cancer net survival by jurisdictional status. Statistics Canada has committed to publishing the findings of this analysis.

The Government of Canada is committed to bridging knowledge gaps related to breast cancer and supporting research which advances prevention, treatment, diagnosis, and screening. Between 2017-18 and 2021-22, more than $129.4 million was invested in breast cancer research through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This includes an investment of $4.9 million over four years for an international project led by Dr. Jacques Simard from Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre that aims to provide evidence to facilitate the implementation of a risk-based personalized breast screening approach, improving the benefits and reducing the harms of existing breast cancer screening programs in Canada.

Additionally, in February 2023, the Government of Canada, through CIHR, invested $1.7 million over one year to support 17 projects which aim to reduce the burden of breast cancer on individuals and families. These projects will focus on prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, effective treatment, psycho-social support systems, and palliation. Two funding opportunities will support research on under-funded aspects of women’s health, including early self-detection of breast cancer (approximately $2 million over one year, funding up to 13 grants) and transnational research relating to breast cancer (approximately $450,000 over three years for one grant). Other recently-funded projects focus on under-served populations including Canada’s Inuit population ($400,000 over three years), barriers to access including social marginalization ($100,000 over two years), and screening strategies among communities with heightened breast cancer mortality ($400,000 over two years).  

Finally, the Government of Canada supports collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders on the breast cancer research agenda. In 2021, CIHR and PHAC, alongside a range of partners, held a Best Brains Exchange event, discussing a pan-Canadian research agenda to address gaps in evidence on innovative and emerging screening approaches for breast cancer screening in Canada. As announced on June 8, 2023, PHAC also intends to host a knowledge exchange event in the fall 2023 to bring together experts, partners, those with lived experiences, and stakeholders, to discuss the current state of the science, including knowledge gaps, related to breast cancer screening.

The Government of Canada is committed to continue working with all partners and to support the Task Force in sharing credible information, including about breast cancer screening. By working across sectors, we hope to support all persons in Canada make informed decisions that will support healthy living and chronic disease prevention.