2024 Progress Report on Breast Cancer

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Breast Cancer Canada has released the 2024 Progress Report on Breast Cancer

This first-of-its-kind report, with evidence from the public, patients, and expert specialists, provides a comprehensive evaluation of breast cancer care across the country. The Progress Report identifies urgent gaps in care and offers actionable insights and equitable policy recommendations to guide health system stakeholders to improve outcomes for Canadians and reduce breast cancer mortality rates across Canada.

Access report here.

From inconsistencies in screening and delays in treatment to the financial strain of a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, the 2024 Progress Report presents an evidence-based overview of the current state of breast cancer care in Canada.

“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,” said Kimberly Carson, CEO of Breast Cancer Canada.  “At Breast Cancer Canada, we are committed to working with healthcare professionals and policymakers to ensure every Canadian, regardless of their postal code, has equitable access to the life-saving care they need and deserve.”

Progress Report Key Themes:

  1. Routine Screening and Early Detection
    Breast cancer diagnoses among women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and early 50s are on the rise, emphasizing the need for earlier screening for those at average risk. A recent poll by Breast Cancer Canada identified that  94% of Canadians support a lowered screening age to 40, while BCC’s PROgress Tracker Registry analysis shows that patients have significantly less financial hardship when diagnosed at an earlier stage.  However, the Progress Report reveals inconsistent screening guidelines across provinces, delaying early detection, particularly for women under 50. Breast Cancer Canada advocates for standardized national screening protocols, including self-referral starting at age 40, with guidelines updated every two years to incorporate new diagnostic tools.
  2. Timely Access to Treatment
    Canada ranks behind other G7 nations in providing timely access to new breast cancer treatments with only 5 of the last 20 new breast cancer treatments funded within 6 months since 2016. Once approved by Health Canada, new therapies face significant extended delays due to additional Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) and provincial pricing negotiations. With 93% of Canadians agreeing that treatments should be available within a year, based on a recent Breast Cancer Canada poll, the Progress Report highlights the need for a faster, more efficient approval process to ensure life-saving drugs reach patients sooner.
  3. Financial Burden of Breast Cancer
    The financial toll of breast cancer extends beyond healthcare costs, affecting patients and their families deeply. A 2024 analysis of Breast Cancer Canada’s PROgress Tracker of 228 survivors, found significant financial strain among patients under age 55. Specifically, the analysis indicates that 36% of employed survivors under age 55 experienced financial hardship, compared to just 13% of employed survivors over age 55. In response, BCC is calling for policy changes to alleviate financial burdens and provide meaningful, funded healthcare programs for patients.
  4. Expert-Driven Policy and Clinical Insights
    Experts from REAL Canadian Breast Cancer Alliance emphasize the need to close gaps in diagnostic tests and drug accessibility with standardized care across the country. The Progress Report highlights clinical viewpoints focused on accurate staging of breast cancer and treatment management of the HER2-positive subtype of breast cancer. BCC’s recent poll also demonstrates that 95% of Canadians agree that expert recommendations should shape public health policies. Breast Cancer Canada advocates for REAL Alliance’s national guidelines to ensure equitable and timely access across Canada to  PET-CT, CT, and MRI staging tests, as well as approved HER2-targeted treatments.

Insight From Multiple Perspectives

The 2024 Progress Report draws on three key sources of research-supported data:

  • Patient Lived Experience gathered through Breast Cancer Canada’s PROgress Tracker National Registry, offers real-world evidence of the challenges faced by breast cancer survivors. This year’s analysis focused on the financial impact of a breast cancer diagnosis.
  • Public Opinion captured through an omnibus poll conducted by Breast Cancer Canada provides insights into Canadian attitudes toward breast cancer care, screening, financial impact, and treatment.
  • Expert Evidence-Based Recommendations from REAL Canadian Breast Cancer Alliance focus on health policy change for care improvements from clinical trial outcomes and expertise in health care delivery.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, the advocacy and progress made this month are important, but the work continues. The 2024 Progress Report underscores the pressing need for immediate action to close gaps in care and improve outcomes for Canadians living with breast cancer. Breast Cancer Canada remains committed to advancing critical evidence-based priorities such as standardizing screening protocols, accelerating access to innovative treatments, and alleviating the financial burdens patients face. Ongoing efforts are essential to driving meaningful progress in breast cancer care for all Canadians.

To learn more, please contact:

Angela Marlatt
Vice President, Mission & Advocacy
📞 800-567-8767 ext. 707
📧 amarlatt@breastcancerprogress.ca
🌐 breastcancerprogress.ca

Donate Today

When you support Breast Cancer Canada, you are helping to improve and save lives through better treatments and early detection of breast cancer.

1 in 8 Canadian women
will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

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The more money we raise, the sooner we can end breast cancer. Join us on our mission to end breast cancer.

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Individual Donor

When you support Breast Cancer Canada, you are helping to improve and save lives through better treatments and early detection of breast cancer.

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Gifting securities

Donating securities is becoming more popular, and supports Breast Cancer Canada just like cash donations. Gifts of publicly traded securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds) are an easy, tax-effective way to make a contribution towards life-saving research that helps with early detection, better treatments, and ultimately  Securities can be of any size and given immediately, or you can bequeath them to Breast Cancer Canada in your will. Just like a cash donation, you’ll get a donation tax credit for your gift of securities.

Today, most securities are held electronically and are easily transferred from your brokerage account to our BCC brokerage account. Your Financial Advisor can make all the arrangements.

For more information, contact: hello@breastcancerprogress.ca

Send e-cards in memory or honour

Bravery is beautiful. That’s why we encourage you to make a donation in honour of a loved one’s own experience with breast cancer. With your donation, we’ll send a email to acknowledge the dedication to the individual or family.

Make a donation with  eCard by dedicating your donation:

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Corporate matching

Multiply the impact of your donation

Fact: thousands of companies will match donations made by employees.

It’s true, and it’s very generous. Want to know if your company will match your donation to BCC? Use the search tool below. It also has access to all the forms, guidelines, and instructions you need to submit a company-matchable gift donation today.

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Monthly Giving

Support life-saving breast cancer research every month of the year.

 

When you make a monthly contribution to Breast Cancer Canada, you provide stable funding for year-round campaigning and allow us to continue to support research projects across Canada.

 

To join, simply pre-authorize a monthly deduction from your credit card.

  1. Online:  Donate Now
  2. By Phone: Sign up as a monthly donor by calling Toll Free: 1-800-567-8767
  3. By Mail


Breast Cancer Canada, National Office
415 Exmouth Street Unit # 101
Sarnia, ON N7T 8A4

You will need to provide us the credit card type, number and expiry date, and the amount you would like to give each month.

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Legacy Donor

Over the last 30 years, many generous donors have left a legacy to Breast Cancer Canada in efforts to advance breast cancer research.

No matter what the form of your gift, you will be remembered by your legacy which will live on through each of the lives you touch with your gift.

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Legacy donor

Leave a legacy. Plan for a future gift.

  • Leave a gift in your will
  • Donating a life insurance policy
  • Donate a TFSA, RRSP, or RRIF

Support Breast Cancer Canada with a future gift to create a better future for breast cancer patients. Your gift helps to save lives through early detection and improve outcomes with better treatments.

or more information, please contact: hello@breastcancerprogress.ca


LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL

This is often called a bequest. It’s the simplest way to make a legacy gift. A gift in your will has no effect on your current income and your estate receives a charitable donation tax receipt. Here’s a sample of simple bequest wording : “To pay the sum of $_________ OR _______% of the residue of my estate to Breast Cancer Canada.”


DONATING A LIFE INSURANCE POLICY

Life insurance is a way to provide financial security for your family. If the needs of your family are already taken care of, a life insurance policy is a smart way to donate to charity including tax savings for your estate. Speak to your financial advisors for your personalized advice and learn how a gift of life insurance can work for you. Here’s the top-line on ways of leaving gifts of life insurance:


Bequeath your policy to Breast Cancer Canada for the future:

  • Name Breast Cancer Canada as the beneficiary of your policy. BCC will receive your insurance proceeds tax-free. Your estate will receive a donation receipt.


Transfer ownership of a paid-up policy to Breast Cancer Canada now:

  • Want to gift us your existing, paid-up policy right now? Make Breast Cancer Canada the beneficiary and owner of your policy. You will receive a donation receipt for the fair market value of the policy. BCC may redeem the policy now, or hold it and receive the face value in the future – however your gift can be put to best use.


Transfer ownership of a policy on which premiums are still owing to BCC now:

  • Premiums still owing? You can still opt to transfer your policy ownership to BCC. You’ll receive a donation receipt for the policy’s fair market value. Want to make it an ongoing gift? Transfer the ownership to BCC, and still continue to pay the premiums owing. You’ll receive donation receipts for those payments too.


DONATE A TFSA, RRSP, RRIF

Register a significant difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer. Donate the proceeds of a registered account: Tax-free savings account (TFSA); Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP); Registered retirement income fund (RRIF). It’s a smart way to make a major contribution. Without reducing your current assets. Without subjecting the funds to probate fees. While reducing taxes on your estate through a donation receipt.

Making a gift like this is easy. Designate Breast Cancer Canada as the beneficiary of your registered account.  You benefit from the full use of your account(s) during your lifetime. We receive any remaining funds after your passing.

For more information, contact: hello@breastcancerprogress.ca

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Corporate Donor

Support life-saving breast cancer research. A corporate donation is a simple and efficient way to demonstrate your corporate support.

To make a one-time or reoccurring corporate donation online, please click here.

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How to Sponsor

Thinking about becoming a corporate partner of Breast Cancer Canada? Amazing. work with all types of organizations. We’ll help you deliver results which are measurable. National or local.

A partnership with Breast Cancer Canada is a win-win. It improves employee engagement, boosts morale, fosters a tighter culture. It raises your organization’s profile and demonstrates your support for breast cancer research. To customers. To employees. To suppliers. Most of all – it makes a positive impact for those affected directly by breast cancer.

We’ll raise money for life-saving breast cancer research, together.

Let’s talk about building your program!

Contact Dawn Hamilton today to get started.
Email: hello@breastcancerprogress.ca
Phone: 1-800-567-8767 

To make an online corporate donation, please click here.

How to

Support an Event

Make a contribution to a fundraiser being held in support of Breast Cancer Canada. You can search for the organization or person you wish to support; or click on the event name to make a general donation to the Raise More initiative of your choice.

How to

Sponsor

Thinking about becoming a corporate partner of Breast Cancer Canada? Amazing. We work with all types of organizations. We’ll help you deliver results which are measurable. National or local.

A partnership with Breast Cancer Canada is a win-win. It improves employee engagement, boosts morale, fosters a tighter culture. It raises your organization’s profile and demonstrates your support for breast cancer research. To customers. To employees. To suppliers. Most of all – it makes a positive impact for those affected directly by breast cancer.

We’ll raise money for life-saving breast cancer research, together.

Let’s talk about building your program!

Contact Charlene Politano today to get started.
Email: cpolitano@breastcancerprogress.ca
Phone: 1-800-567-8767 or 416-352-8567

To make an online corporate donation, please click here.

If you would like to explore other ways to give, we invite you to learn more.

How to

Fundraise

Join the Raise More Challenge

The more money we raise, the sooner we can end breast cancer. The more time researchers have in the lab. The more technology they can use. The more support we can get. Advancements in early detection and personalized treatment are in reach, and with your help to raise funds, we can find a cure sooner.

There are many ways to fundraise – whether you want to create a competition or tournament, fundraise with your team, challenge your colleagues, host a pink party, have a bake sale or cook-off, the idea is to raise more for breast cancer research.

Breast Cancer Canada will empower you with all the tools you need for a successful fundraiser, and if you need more information, contact Dawn Hamilton at: dhamilton@breastcancerprogress.ca  

How to

Volunteer

Volunteers are Breast Cancer Canada’s most important resource, and the backbone of our organization. From helping build our PROgress research to helping breast cancer patients, to supporting events, special fundraising projects and administrative tasks, our volunteers are dedicated to making a positive, life-changing impact.

We ensure our volunteers have the best possible experience and apply the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement.

You can help us end breast cancer by:

  • Volunteering with one of our fundraising campaigns. Or a BCC signature event
  • Helping with local community events where you live
  • Joining our PROgress research at a local hub
  • Assisting us with virtual office tasks

Learn more about our volunteer driven Regional Hubs.

Regional Hubs are an integral part of Breast Canada Canada. We connect communities and those committed to our mission to make the goal local. Together, we can save lives through advancing breast cancer research, coast to coast.

Connect to learn more about what is happening in your area: volunteer@breastcancerprogress.ca