BCC report reveals urgent gaps in breast cancer care and calls for national screening standards
Breast Cancer Canada (BCC), a national charity committed to saving lives through breast cancer research, has published its groundbreaking 2024 Progress Report on Breast Cancer in Canada.
This first-of-its-kind report gathers insights from public polls, patient experiences, and clinical expertise to offer a comprehensive view of the state of breast cancer care across the country.
It highlights significant gaps in care while providing targeted policy recommendations to improve patient outcomes and reduce breast cancer mortality rates.
The report brings attention to several critical areas where breast cancer care falls short in Canada, including inconsistencies in screening, delays in treatment, and financial strains on patients.
Kimberly Carson, CEO of Breast Cancer Canada, emphasized, “The report uncovers the significant challenges Canadians face in managing their breast cancer care – from gaps in accessible routine screening and the latest treatments to the devastating financial impact on patients and families. These issues must be addressed.”
Carson affirmed BCC’s commitment to collaborating with healthcare professionals and policymakers to ensure that every Canadian, regardless of their location, has access to the life-saving care they need.
One of the core areas highlighted in the report is the inconsistency in breast cancer screening guidelines across provinces, which can delay early detection.
The report notes that diagnoses among women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and early 50s are rising, signalling a need for earlier screening for average-risk individuals.
A recent BCC poll found that 94 percent of Canadians support lowering the screening age to 40, while BCC’s PROgress Tracker Breast Cancer Registry analysis shows that patients diagnosed earlier experience significantly less financial hardship.
To address these needs, BCC advocates for standardized national screening protocols that allow self-referrals starting at age 40, with guidelines updated biennially to include advancements in diagnostic tools.
The report identifies Canada’s lagging performance compared to other G7 countries in providing timely access to new breast cancer treatments.
Since 2016, only 5 of the last 20 approved breast cancer therapies have been funded within six months. Even after Health Canada approves new treatments, additional Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) and provincial price negotiations cause considerable delays.
BCC’s recent poll shows that 93 percent of Canadians agree that treatments should be available within a year. Highlighting the need for a more efficient approval process, BCC calls for faster access to critical treatments to ensure Canadians receive timely and potentially life-saving drugs.
The financial burden of a breast cancer diagnosis extends beyond healthcare costs, affecting patients’ broader financial stability.
According to data from BCC’s PROgress Tracker, 36 percent of employed survivors under 55 experienced financial hardship, compared to 13 percent of those over 55.
In response, BCC advocates for policy changes to alleviate this strain, aiming to introduce funded healthcare programs that reduce the financial burdens facing patients and their families.
Experts from the REAL Canadian Breast Cancer Alliance contributed clinical and policy recommendations, stressing the need to close gaps in diagnostic tests and treatment access across Canada.
The Progress Report highlights viewpoints from specialists advocating for consistent staging protocols, particularly for the HER2-positive subtype of breast cancer.
BCC’s poll further shows that 95 percent of Canadians believe expert-driven recommendations should guide public health policies.
The REAL Alliance supports implementing national guidelines to improve timely access to critical PET-CT, CT, and MRI staging tests and HER2-targeted treatments, ensuring equitable treatment across provinces.
The report draws on data from three key sources:
- Patient experiences collected via BCC’s PROgress Tracker National Registry, detailing real-world challenges, especially the financial impacts of breast cancer.
- Public opinion through an omnibus poll, providing Canadian perspectives on the importance of screening, treatment access, and financial challenges.
- Expert recommendations from the REAL Canadian Breast Cancer Alliance, emphasizing evidence-based policy changes based on clinical trial results and healthcare expertise.
