Dense Breasts Canada (DBC) is a non-profit organization, founded in 2016. DBC is made up of dedicated individuals and healthcare professionals who are committed to raising awareness and advocating for optimal breast cancer screening.

Our Goals: Awareness and Advocacy

To increase awareness among the public and healthcare professionals of the risks associated with dense breasts and the importance of screening, starting at age 40 and continuing past 74.

To convince provincial screening programs to provide supplemental screening to women with dense breasts.

To convince the federal government to revise dangerous breast screening guidelines and reform the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.

Why we are seeking change.

Optimal breast screening matters: With 30,000 women diagnosed every year in Canada with breast cancer and 5500 deaths, we must do better to ensure all Canadians have the best chance to find cancer early. The status quo has to go.

Early detection of breast cancer saves lives and improves quality of life. Five year survival when diagnosed at Stage 1 is 99.8 percent, but at Stage 4 it is 23%. Early detection also can mean a better chance to avoid chemotherapy, mastectomy and axillary dissection. Canadians need optimal breast cancer screening: annual screening from age 40-49; screening every 1-2 years from age 50 and past 74, as long as a woman is in good health; and additional screening for women with dense breasts.

Breast density matters: Over 3 million women in Canada, over age of 40, have dense breasts. DBC wants to educate women about the importance of knowing and understanding their breast density so they can be proactive in reducing their risk and have informed discussions with their healthcare providers about additional screening.

 

Meet Our Executive

jennie photoshopped final
Michelle Di Tomaso March 2024
Paula order of canada
Karen Goldenburg cropped
ADVOCATE PIC- annie
Joan
Eevin-Leigh Schlamp
image003 (1)

Meet Our Advocates