Blog
DBC founder Jennie Dale urges a fresh start for breast screening guidelines
DBC founder Jennie Dale recently spoke with The Hill Times about the breast cancer screening guideline debacle and why a fresh start is needed- not an update of the flawed...
Clinics offering supplemental screening in Canada
Here are the clinics we know of that provide supplemental screening (this does not include all hospitals). There may be many more. Note: Dense Breasts Canada is not affiliated with...
Could a Blood Test, Breath Sample or Even Tears Help Detect Breast Cancer?
Could a Blood Test, Breath Sample or Even Tears Help Detect Breast Cancer? What if breast cancer could be detected through a blood test, a breath sample or even a...
A Personal Decision and a Broader Question About Breast Cancer Risk
One of the most striking parts of this important article in The Walrus is author Kelly S. Thompson’s own story. Kelly is at high risk for breast cancer and has...
Launched: Why the National Advisory Committee on Preventive Health Services matters to all of us
When should you start cancer screening? What tests should you be offered? Who qualifies for additional screening or preventive care? The answers to these questions can affect whether diseases are...
UNDERserved & UNDERScreened: What Canadian women told us about supplemental screening access
We asked. You answered. We asked women with dense breasts across Canada to share their breast cancer screening experiences — what they were told, what follow-up they received, and what...
Reflecting on DBC’s 10 year anniversary
Over the last 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of standing beside some of the most compassionate and courageous people I have ever known. Advocates, survivors, physicians, nurse practitioners, researchers,...
New Guidance published by Canadian Experts for women with category C and D dense breasts.
Have dense breasts? Canadian experts have important guidance. Canadian Society of Breast Imaging (CSBI) has just published updated recommendations in the Journal of Breast Imaging on supplemental screening for women...
Our thoughts on International Women’s Day 2026
On International Women’s Day, leaders across Canada will reaffirm their commitment to gender equality. Health equity is a fundamental pillar of that promise. Yet when it comes to early breast...
DBC’s Op-ed in The Hill Times
Fed’s plans for preventative health care task force fall short Canadians deserve the best science to guide their cancer care. Let’s hope the government gives us that. Last year, the...
Experts shocked by magnitude of online misinformation around mammogram safety in Sask.
Women 43 and older can now sign up for breast cancer screening without doctor referral.
Please take our survey.
Have you had a mammogram and been told you have dense breasts? Dense Breasts Canada wants to hear from you! Our new survey will help us better understand the screening...
Breast Cancer Awareness and Advocacy Month 2025
Tomorrow marks the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month—BCAM—but for Dense Breasts Canada, every month is BCAM. We’re grateful to everyone who keeps our mission moving forward: those who share...
Janice’s letter to Ontario Health Minister
This is a powerful letter! Huge thanks to Janice for her courage in speaking up and reminding the government that more must be done to save lives and prevent suffering....
DBC welcomes the federal government’s commitment to modernizing the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care
Dense Breasts Canada (DBC) welcomes the release of the External Expert Review report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. The report clearly underscores the need for a...
Advancing Breast Cancer Screening in Canada
As we celebrate our 9-year anniversary, we’re reflecting on the progress made in achieving better breast cancer screening in Canada and raising public awareness nationwide. PROVINCIAL POLICY WINS BREAST DENSITY...
Technology for Dense Breasts
Cancer can be harder to detect in dense breasts using traditional mammography, but advanced imaging technologies can help. The challenge? Access. By advocating for these tools, we can improve early...
Important update for women in Ontario with Category D density
YOU CAN REQUEST SUPPLEMENTAL SCREENING IF YOU HAVE CATEGORY C OR D DENSITY: CATEGORY D Ultrasound + mammogram yearly, OR MRI + mammogram every two years. Discuss options with your...
In Memoriam: Tanja Harrison
We lost Tanja, a cherished mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, friend, and colleague. Last year, breast cancer brought us together. In 2021, Tanja had a routine mammogram. She learned...
Testimony to Status of Women Committee Oct 9, 2024
Testimony by Dense Breasts Canada: Carolyn Holland and Jennie Dale My name is Carolyn Holland, and I am here today, not just as a 46-year-old breast cancer patient, but as...
Hilary and Aunt Jean Ann: the inspiration behind NOT TOO YOUNG
I cannot remember the exact moment I found out that my Aunt Jean Ann had breast cancer. I vaguely remember hearing someone in my family say that she had found...
Spring 2024 Newsletter
Great progress on Canadian and provincial breast cancer screening guidelines. Read all about it here https://sh1.sendinblue.com/amehwm4ghxpfe.html?t=1718761924
Libby’s sister, Kim, responds to the breast cancer screening guideline update
Say the name Libby and many of us in the breast cancer community immediately feel an ache in our hearts. Libby's sister, Kim, has written this heartrendingly beautiful piece in...
Testimonies to Federal Health Committee and the Status of Women Committee
Dr Jean Seely Dear members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft CTF breast cancer screening guidelines As a breast imaging specialist, I diagnose...
Recent Canadian Studies make a clear case for screening at 40
Science that should influence the Breast Screening Guidelines 1. The incidence rates of breast cancer in women under the age of 50 in Canada have increased significantly in the past...
DBC Press Release: Medical experts call for reform of federal preventive health task force
NEWS RELEASE Medical experts call for reform of federal preventive health task force\ “Lives are at stake. It is our duty to prioritize the well-being of all Canadians.” April 15,...
Andrea Douglas writes poignantly about resilient young women facing breast cancer
Here is Andrea Douglas' First person article published in the Globe and Mail April 14th I turned 64 recently - not a particularly significant number - but after facing a...
Our Winter Newsletter
Dense Breasts Canada Winter 2024 Update. Lots of policy changes in Canada happening! https://sh1.sendinblue.com/alckkm4ghxpfe.html?t=1710610872
Let’s talk about systemic racism in Canada’s breast screening guidelines
Is there systemic racism in Canada’s breast screening guidelines? With our breast cancer screening guidelines under review right now, it’s beyond time to take action. What’s the issue? Canada’s breast...
OP-ED: Gaps remain in Quebec’s New Breast Screening Policy
In recent years, we've been thrilled to see many provinces improve their breast screening practices with with density notification, screening at 40, and supplemental screening. It makes us sad though...
Read Jennie Dale’s (DBC Cofounder) opening remarks to the federal health committee
Jennie Dale's opening remarks about breast cancer screening in Canada made to the committee are below: I’m Jennie Dale. I’m a breast cancer patient, and in 2016 I co-founded Dense...
Many provincial governments are approving mammograms starting at age 40–but the federal government continues to trail behind
The Government of Ontario has announced it is lowering the age threshold for mammogram coverage to age 40, from age 50. The screenings, available every two years, will be covered...
Fall 2023 Newsletter
Dense Breasts Canada Fall 2023 Update. Please read here https://sh1.sendinblue.com/akri1y4ghxpfe.html?t=1700417146
Dense Breasts Canada Welcomes Ontario Decision to Lower Breast Screening Eligibility to Age 40
Media Release Dense Breasts Canada Welcomes Ontario Decision to Lower Breast Screening Eligibility to Age 40 October 30, 2023 Toronto – Today’s decision by the Government of Ontario to lower...
OP-ED by DBC Cofounder Jennie Dale
It’s time! Every October, as the leaves turn red, orange, and yellow, another colour also makes its appearance—pink. Each Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Canadians don pink ribbons and raise money...
What is PocketHealth?
What is PocketHealth? PocketHealth is a secure, online way for patients to access, permanently store and share their medical imaging records and reports from any device, anywhere. When a patient...
Breast density notification begins in Ontario
Dense Breasts Canada began because important breast health information was being withheld from women. We did not expect the many obstacles in getting information to women and we’ve been tackling...
Dense Breasts Canada Position Statement
The recently released United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Breast Cancer Screening recommendations are both exciting and disappointing. The good news is the US Task Force recommended screening mammograms...
Andrea Douglas guest blog: Inadequate breast screening is costing women’s lives
Today I listened to Howard tell his wife’s story. I don’t know Howard. Or his wife. I don’t know their last names. I was listening to CBC Radio’s Ontario Today episode...
Aristotle
There are exciting new advancements in breast cancer detection. DBC seeks to inform women by sharing information on new technologies so that anyone interested in more information can easily access...
Have dense breasts? Questions to ask your provider
If you’ve just learned you have dense breasts, we’re happy you now have this information. Dense Breasts are common and normal. About 43% of women have dense breasts. Dense breasts...
Dense Breasts Canada has published its first journal article
We’re excited to announce that our article has been published in Current Oncology. The manuscript, written by Jennie Dale, Michelle Di Tomaso, and Victoria Gay, will also be included in...
Do you have dense breasts? Do you know what to say if your health care provider won’t give you a requisition for an ultrasound?
So, you’ve had a mammogram and learned you have dense breasts. Since dense tissue can mask cancer on a mammogram, you would like additional screening. You need a requisition for...
It’s National Women’s Health Week.
This post started off with a list of healthy measures women could do to prioritize their health. Healthy diets, exercise, minimal alcohol use and other steps can go a long...
Announcing our new partner: Know Your Lemons
The Know Your Lemons Foundation and Dense Breasts Canada know that early detection of breast cancer is critical and are joining forces to help women be proactive to improve their...
Women Deserve Better Access To Breast Screening
Canadian women in their 40s are disadvantaged by provincial breast screening policies and misinformation provided to healthcare providers. This negatively impacts women’s ability to make informed decisions about breast cancer...
Tina Martel has gone through breast cancer twice. Here’s what she wishes she were told and what all women need to know.
Tina Martel is an instructor of Fine Arts and a professional artist. She is also the author of the multi award winning illustrated book Not in the Pink which centers...
A new blood test for breast cancer detection
We were curious about the new blood test available to women in Alberta and Ontario and coming across Canada and so we did some research. This research is not exhaustive...
Sharing our top 5 highlights in advocacy and awareness raising
When it comes to breast cancer screening in Canada, the status quo is failing Canadian women. Screening policies in many provinces hinder early detection of breast cancer. Where you live...
Failing Canadian Women
New report: Canada's breast cancer screening practices are failing women Dense Breasts Canada calls for improvements to breast screening practices and launches new tool to help women get appropriate screening...
Announcing mybreastscreening.ca
Hi everyone, It’s Jennie Dale, Cofounder of Dense Breasts Canada. We’re excited to announce the launch our second platform, MyBreastScreening.ca. Why a second site? Over the past five years, my...
#ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021
This year’s theme for #IWD2021 is #ChooseToChallenge. We want to hug whoever chose it. Every day, we #ChooseToChallenge the inequities impacting the health of Canadian women. We know that...
It’s still the 60’s when it comes to saving women’s lives in Canada
When I first saw this picture of Violet, many things went through my mind. First it was Violet, you’re gorgeous. Then it was, oh that phone! I remember that phone...
What are the facts about radiation and mammograms?
Radiation and mammograms There is background radiation all around us. This includes cosmic radiation from the sun and stars, radioactive material in rocks and in the ground, radon gas in...
What I Wish I Had Known About Breast Cancer
Libby has a lot going on in her life as she deals with Stage 4 breast cancer, but she has taken the time to share lessons she has learned. Her...
Discrimination and breast density
Discrimination and inequality are not words usually heard around the issue of breast density, but we have to agree with Dr. Paula Gordon, who in her latest presentation https://youtu.be/7uFksz6_4Zk stated...
Learning from my story.
"Tell the story of the mountain you climbed. Your words could become a page in someone else’s survival guide." Morgan Harper Nichols We are very grateful to Melanie Cameron for...
In Memory: Sharon
In 2013, I figured out I had dense breasts, but didn’t understand what that meant. Every time I went for a mammogram, they were always suspicious of a spot on...
When a ‘normal’ mammogram result may not be ‘normal’
Whew! If you’ve ever had a mammogram, you know that feeling of relief when that letter arrives in the mail saying your results are ‘normal.’ Most women exhale and then...
Better safe than sorry
In 2014, I went for a routine mammogram and screening ultrasound. I know that being sent for both tests for a routine checkup is not the norm in...