For the Sake of Canadians – Breast Cancer Screening Must Evolve

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Research is revolutionizing how we detect, treat and manage breast cancer. Yet, our national guidelines and screening practices aren’t evolving in tandem.

Early detection is crucial, as 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Treatments are far more effective and better tolerated when started early. Thanks to the dedication of researchers, new screening and detection methods are becoming a reality – including simpler measures for prediction like blood tests. Precision diagnostics are helping Canadians detect breast cancer sooner and treat it more effectively.

Canada stands at a crossroads in breast cancer screening and detection with rates for younger people on the rise. While technology advances and new screening options emerge, the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care has yet to acknowledge these developments. The Task Force’s current recommendation to keep routine screening at 50 years old contradicts clear evidence and emerging trends underscoring the critical importance of early detection.

Canadians know access to breast cancer screening is important. We conducted a national poll in September revealing that 89% of Canadians believe routine screening should begin before age 50. A recent study in the Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal revealed a rise in breast cancer rates, notably among women under the age 50. Last month, the US Preventive Services Task Force issued a final recommendation that women should begin getting screened for breast cancer starting at age 40.

We must advocate for lowering the screening age to 40 across all provinces in Canada. Our national guidelines must reflect the current and growing needs, focusing on the necessity rather than the limitations of current technology.

Breast Cancer Canada’s commitment to advancing breast cancer detection technology is exemplified by more investments in breast cancer screening and technology:

  • Earlier this month we were pleased to announce new research projects, totalling $500,000 in grants, including pioneering work on prognostic gene signatures, AI-assisted screening tools, and liquid biopsy profiles for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer.
  • In December, Breast Cancer Canada approved $200,000 in new funding focused on developing new, less invasive technologies that offer higher quality results for early cancer detection. One project focuses on machine learning that will assist clinicians in more accurate breast cancer detection. The second project is creating state of the art technology to build a sensor bra to identify breast lumps with a goal to revolutionize simple and convenient screening and detection techniques.
  • Last year Breast Cancer Canada began a $3-million investment with Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to drive molecular breast cancer prevention research to improve early detection, screening, ultimately, future prevention strategies for breast cancer patients.
  • To support the incredible work of our researchers, Breast Cancer Canada has also launched PROgress Tracker, a research study
    collecting Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs). This valuable resource allows researchers to understand the real-life impacts of a breast cancer diagnosis and will capture more data on the ages and stages of Canadian patients.

Raising funds and awareness for breast cancer is at the heart of what we do. Breast Cancer Canada’s pop-up community kiosks have been an essential part of this mission, appearing at shopping centers, events, and retail locations across the country. Initiated during the pandemic to ensure we maintained momentum, these kiosks provided invaluable points of connection allowing us to share information about ground-breaking breast cancer research and the importance of early detection and routine screenings at a time when screening mammography numbers had plummeted. As we have emerged from the pandemic, Breast Cancer Canada has made the decision to sunset this program.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the survivors, patients, and families who have shared their stories with us. Your openness has been invaluable, illuminating the importance of early detection and personalized treatment for patients. Your voices continue to shape our advocacy and research efforts, and we thank you for your unwavering support.

Our national education efforts will continue in new formats. We remain dedicated to progress through research, advocacy for access to the best care, and elevating the patient voice to improve the lives of those affected by breast cancer.

The future of breast cancer detection hinges on our collective ability to adapt and innovate. As we push for earlier screenings and embrace cutting-edge research, we must not lose sight of the patients and stories that fuel our mission.

It is only through united action that we will achieve our ultimate goal: a world without breast cancer.

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.

Get Involved

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

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.

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.

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.

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