Before DBC’s advocacy efforts, no woman in Canada was informed about her breast density. Today, women in nine provinces/territories are informed of their category A, B, C or D by mail, while three provinces (SK, QC, NL) provide it through the patient’s online health portal.

When DBC began, only four provinces/ territories (BC, NS, PEI, YT) were offering self-referral mammograms for women starting at age 40. DBC successfully advocated alongside medical professionals and patient advocates and in 2024/25, three additional jurisdictions (ON, NB, NL) lowered the screening age from 50 to 40. SK and MB will also lower the age to 40 in a phased approach.

Before DBC launched, supplemental screening for women with dense breasts was not widely available. Through DBC’s advocacy, women with dense breasts in BC, AB, NWT, SK, and ON now have access to additional screening.

DBC has led efforts to expose flaws in how the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care develops national guidelines. Through testimony to parliamentary committees and meetings with PHAC, DBC raised key concerns about governance, oversight, and the need for up-to-date evidence and expert input in Canada’s breast screening guidelines. This advocacy resulted in a review of the guideline development process and a pause in the Task Force’s work.

In addition to policy changes, DBC has made significant strides in raising public awareness about the importance of breast cancer screening. Through public education campaigns, social media outreach, and collaborations with medical experts, DBC has empowered women with the knowledge they need to take control of their health.

DBC has galvanized public support for better screening policies. Through its messaging and community engagement, DBC has amplified the voices of women across Canada who are advocating for better breast screening.