New Survey Reveals 94% of Canadians Back Earlier Screening

Share

A Call for Equitable Access to Breast Cancer Care Nationwide

Today, Breast Cancer Canada (BCC), a national charity dedicated to saving lives through breast cancer research, released new data revealing an overwhelming national demand for earlier breast cancer screening. The survey also highlights the deep impact of delayed screening and the need for more equitable access to breast cancer care across Canada.

Key Findings

  • Consensus for Early Screening – An overwhelming 94% of Canadians believe breast cancer screening should start at age 40, recognizing the importance of early detection.
  • Generational Shift in Attitudes – The survey indicates a generational shift in attitudes toward breast cancer screening. Younger Canadians (ages 18-34) are particularly supportive, with 84% indicating they would get screened at age 40 if eligible, compared to  22% of the mid-generation (ages 35-40).
  • Inequities in Access to Care – 88% of Canadians believe that where you live in Canada significantly affects your access to quality breast cancer care. This sentiment is particularly strong across the country, highlighting the need for more equitable access to screening and care nationwide.

Overlooking Routine Breast Cancer Screenings

While there is overwhelming support for access to breast cancer screening starting at age 40, there is still more work to be done. Despite recognizing the importance of early detection, many Canadians are not getting screened. Over 27% of Canadians reported that neither they nor a loved one has ever been screened for breast cancer. This gap underscores the need for continued education to ensure that awareness translates into action. Early screening is crucial for identifying breast cancer in its earliest stages, improving treatment outcomes, and ultimately saving lives.

The Impact of Delayed Detection

Carie-Anne Dunscombe’s story brings a human face to the statistics. At 47, Carie-Anne was denied a mammogram despite presenting with a lump and rash. It wasn’t until a visit to the emergency room at Credit Valley Hospital that she finally received a mammogram and was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Tragically, she passed away just a year later, at the age of 48. “If my mom had been screened earlier, her breast cancer could have been caught in time,” shares her daughter, Megan Dunscombe. “Routine screening wasn’t available for my mom at age 40. The delays in her diagnosis not only robbed her of the chance for early treatment but also devastated our family. Early detection isn’t just a medical term—it’s a lifeline.”

Needed Change in National Guidelines

This growing consensus comes at a critical time, as medical and industry experts continue to call on the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care to lower national breast cancer screening guidelines, which currently recommend screening starting at age 50.

Kimberly Carson, CEO of Breast Cancer Canada, emphasizes, “Now more than ever, the urgency for updating national screening guidelines is undeniable. This is about more than changing a number—it’s about transforming the breast cancer landscape in Canada to save lives.” Carson adds, “Encouraging vigilance and pushing for early detection represent vital steps toward ensuring that every Canadian, regardless of age or location, has access to the care they need.”

 

-30-

 

About Breast Cancer Canada
Breast Cancer Canada is a national charity dedicated to saving lives through breast cancer research. With a focus on precision oncology (personalized care), it is the only national breast cancer organization in Canada with a clear mandate to fund research, advocate, and educate on the progress of new research evidence. The organization receives no government funding; all research is funded through the generosity of donors. For more information, visit breastcancerprogress.ca.

About the Survey
These are the findings of a study/survey conducted by Breast Cancer Canada from August 28 to 30, 2024 among a representative sample of 1505 online Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

 

 

FACT SHEET

Angus Reid / Breast Cancer Canada: August 2024 Survey Findings

Summary of findings for an omnibus survey conducted for Breast Cancer Canada from August 28-30, 2024. The sample size of 1505 Canadians consisted of 771 females and 734 males.


Screening:

  • Almost all Canadians (94%) believe that breast cancer screening should be available to all Canadians beginning at the age of 40.
    • There is a near universal agreement among Canadians that it is important for breast cancer screening guidelines to be reviewed and updated frequently (93% agree)
    • 8-in-10 men (78%) under the age of 50 would be screened for breast cancer beginning at the age of 40, if eligible.
    • Younger Canadians aged 18-34 overwhelmingly agree (94%) that they would get screened beginning at the age of 40, if eligible
    • 73% of Canadians have not been screened for breast cancer at all

 

Health Equity

  • 88% of Canadians believe that where you live in Canada significantly affects your access to quality breast cancer care.
    • Atlantic Canada, Ontario and British Columbia agree more than other provinces (95%, 90%, 90%)
    • Younger generations tend to agree more than older generations that where you live in Canada affects your access to care (90%, 90% versus 86%)
    • Women under 50 agree more than the rest of respondents that where you live in Canada affects your access to care (93%)
  • 83% of Canadians believe that men and women should be treated for breast cancer equally, and should have equal access to said treatments
    • Women agree significantly more than men (88% versus 79%)
    • Older generations agree more than younger generations that men and women should be treated equally and have equal access (55+: 89%, 35-54: 80%, 18-34: 79%)
Related Stories

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.

Donate as
Individual
Legacy
Corporate
Join the Raise More Challenge
1 in 8 Canadian women
will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Get Involved

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

Host a Fundraiser
Explore More Ways to Get Involved
Charitable Registration Number: 13796 9861 RR0001
© Breast Cancer Canada 2024
Sign up,
Know more.
Twitter Facebook Instagram Linkedin

Search

Search
Close this search box.

I am a

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.

Donate Now

Learn more about

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:

Let’s get started

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.

Search Tool

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.

I am a

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.

Donate Now

Learn more about

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

I am a

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.

Learn more about

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.

Support Now

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  

Join the Raise More Challenge

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