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

The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, and the Honourable 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 on the breast cancer screening and prevention action plan.

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

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

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

Raising awareness of breast cancer screening, which aims to detect cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage, is crucial for the Government of Canada. We are dedicated to advancing women's health through comprehensive breast cancer screening and prevention efforts. We are also taking action by collaborating with partners and stakeholders to address identified gaps in breast cancer research.

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

For example, researchers from Sunnybrook Hospital Research Institute are using artificial intelligence to develop more personalized breast cancer screening strategies; a team from the University of Saskatchewan 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 examining how to prevent breast cancer from spreading to surrounding tissues. With support from the Government of Canada, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is refining its OncoSim-Breast microsimulation model, a tool used in the development of more effective breast cancer prevention and treatment policies.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is working closely with Statistics Canada to conduct analyses of national cancer trends. They are looking at differences in breast cancer rates based on where people live, their age and ethnicity, and how advanced it is when people are diagnosed. Statistics Canada is also examining data on access to, and participation in, breast cancer screening by mammography to fill identified data gaps. These initiatives will enhance our understanding of the current state of breast cancer in Canada.

Breast cancer touches the lives of so many, either through a personal diagnosis or that of a loved one. We strongly believe that nobody should have to face this alone. If you or a loved one is having difficulty coping with a cancer diagnosis, there are many ways you can seek support. Visit Canada.ca/mental-health or visit the Canadian Cancer Society's community services locator, which helps cancer patients, caregivers and healthcare providers find the services they need to feel supported.

Let's empower everyone to make informed health care decisions, supported by the best available science and evidence.

Contact

Matthew Kronberg
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
343-552-5654

Yuval Daniel
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Ya'ara Saks
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
819-360-6927

Media Relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca