Message from the Minister of Health and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health – Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October 2024

Statement

The Honorable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, and the Honorable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health issued a joint message during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to highlight the Government of Canada’s progress regarding the action plan for breast cancer screening and prevention.

October 9, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a month when we come together to support and honor those affected by this disease.

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women.^{Footnote *} in Canada. It is expected that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

For the Government of Canada, raising awareness about breast cancer screening, which aims to detect cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage, is of critical importance. We are committed to promoting women’s health through concerted efforts in breast cancer screening and prevention. We also respond by collaborating with partners and stakeholders to fill identified gaps in breast cancer research.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research has invested nearly $140 million over the past five years to advance breast cancer research in Canada. Through more than 500 grants and awards, these investments fund cutting-edge research to more effectively prevent, detect and treat breast cancer.

For example, researchers at Sunnybrook Hospital Research Institute are using artificial intelligence to develop more personalized breast cancer screening strategies; a University of Saskatchewan team is developing new techniques that combine radiation therapy and the body’s immune system to target breast cancer; and a project led by McGill researchers is studying how to prevent the spread of breast cancer into surrounding tissues. With support from the Government of Canada, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is working to refine its OncoSim-Breast microsimulation model, a tool used to support the development of more effective prevention and treatment policies. of breast cancer.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) works closely with Statistics Canada to conduct analyzes of national cancer trends. They examine differences in breast cancer rates based on place of residence, age, ethnicity and stage of disease at diagnosis. Statistics Canada is also reviewing data on access and participation in mammography breast cancer screening to fill identified gaps. These initiatives will enrich our understanding of the current state of breast cancer in Canada.

Breast cancer touches the lives of many people, whether through a personal diagnosis or that of a loved one. We firmly believe that no one should have to face it alone. If you or a loved one are struggling with a cancer diagnosis, there are several support options available to you. Visit the Canada.ca/mental-health website or the Canadian Cancer Society’s Directory of Community Services; it allows cancer patients, caregivers and providers to find services that support them.

Let’s give everyone the means to make informed health decisions, based on the best scientific and factual data available.