Draft:Breast Cancer Canada


Breast Cancer Canada (BCC) (French: Cancer du sein du Canada) is a Canadian national charity with a mandate to increase public awareness and raise money for breast cancer research. The charity has a particular focus on funding research on precision oncology (personalized care). Breast Cancer Canada’s mission, funding allocation, and advocacy are focused on the following areas:

  • Prevention and early detection
  • Innovative therapies
  • Patient-reported outcomes

BCC advocates for health policies to increase equitable access to breast cancer care across Canada. The organization also focuses its efforts on recommending earlier routine screenings[1], addressing disparities in access to breast cancer care, and promoting personalized treatment nationwide.

History

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Breast Cancer Canada was founded in 1991 by Lawrence and Kay Greenaway in memory of their daughter Pamela, who passed away from breast cancer at the age of 38. Established under the name Breast Cancer Society of Canada, the organization changed its name in 2022 in efforts to better reflect its national focus, modernize the organization's image, and convey its inclusive mission.[2]

Organization

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Breast Cancer Canada’s national office is located in Sarnia, Ontario. Its five regional hubs across Canada are located in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, and Eastern Canada.

BCC is governed by a Board of Directors that includes leaders from various sectors and locations across Canada. The Board works closely with BCC’s Scientific Advisory Committee, made up of researchers and clinicians who guide the organization’s research funding decisions.

This committee ensures that BCC’s investments are directed toward projects with the potential to make significant progress in the advancement of breast cancer care.

Kimberly Carson is the CEO of BCC.[3]

Fundraising Campaigns

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BCC leads two major, national fundraising campaigns twice a year.

Walk-a-Thon to Mother’s Day

A nationwide event encouraging Canadians to engage in physical activity while raising funds for breast cancer research.[4]

Raise More Challenge

Participants, businesses, and schools are encouraged to take on creative challenges to raise funds. The campaign, held every October, is formerly known as “Dress for the Cause”.

Major initiatives

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PROgress Tracker Registry
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In 2023 Breast Cancer Canada launched a research program to track patient-reported outcomes across Canada. The organization's aim is to recruit 5,000 patients over the next 10 years at any stage in their breast cancer journey[5] with the aim to identify trends and gather data to inform policy decisions and research priorities.

Progress CONNECT
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In 2024 the Program CONNECT online tool was launched, designed to provide information on a patient's specific breast cancer type and treatments available in their province.[6]

REAL Alliance
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Breast Cancer Canada oversees the REAL Canadian Breast Cancer Alliance, a consortium of breast cancer experts. The alliance includes oncologists, researchers, and clinicians who collaborate to ensure that breast cancer care in Canada is informed by the latest research.

Fund allocation and research grants

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Breast Cancer Canada allocates funding to Canadian hospitals and organizations via research grants.

BCC's flagship partnership is in place with London Health Sciences and its funding has totalled over $10 million.[7] The Breast Cancer Canada Translational Research Laboratory is BCC's named research lab in London.[8]

BCC’s notable funding activities in recent years:
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2022
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  • Dr. Mousumi Majumdea, working out of Brandon University, received a $75,000 research grant for breast cancer detection research.[9]
  • Lisa Porter, working out of the University of Windsor, received a $25,000 research grant for work in “triple negative” breast cancer.[10]
2023
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BCC announced $3 million in funding to support molecular breast cancer prevention at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.[11]

That same year, the organization announced its first major investment in Quebec research, granting $2.5 million to the McPeak Sirois Group to increase access to clinical trials.

2024
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In July 2024, BCC announced eight recipients who received a total of $1 million in funding through its Canadian Breast Cancer Clinical Scientist Fellowship Program.

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Mentioned in Cancer Resources on the Internet [12]

References

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  1. ^ "Outdated breast cancer guidelines are putting people at risk, says Breast Cancer Canada head". Ottawa Citizen. May 1, 2024.
  2. ^ "Breast Cancer Canada shows that knowledge is beautiful". Strategy. September 15, 2022.
  3. ^ "WOMEN IN TECH: Q&A With Kimberly Carson, CEO, Breast Cancer Canada". Wifi Hifi. 24 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Breast Cancer Society builds on its multicultural outreach". Strategy. September 15, 2022.
  5. ^ "Breast Cancer Canada CEO talks about using AI to prevent cancer — and a bra that detects tissue changes". Toronto Star. March 30, 2024.
  6. ^ "Personalizing breast cancer answers for patients". CTV News Toronto. December 6, 2023.
  7. ^ "Huge gift from city organization". The Sarnia Journal. September 16, 2014.
  8. ^ "TRANSLATIONAL BREAST CANCER RESEARCH". Archived from the original on 2001-06-18.
  9. ^ "Brandon University scientist receives $75K grant for breast cancer research". CTV News Winnipeg. June 14, 2022.
  10. ^ "U of Windsor researcher honoured to receive Breast Cancer Society grant". Windsor Star. June 27, 2022.
  11. ^ "Stopping Breast Cancer in its Tracks | UHN Research". www.uhnresearch.ca.
  12. ^ Wood, MSL, MBA, M. Sandra; Delozier, MLS, Eric P. (1997). Cancer Resources on the Internet. The Haworth Press, Inc. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-7890-0344-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)