Madam Chair and everyone, good morning.
I'm very pleased to be invited to speak here this morning on behalf of the Canadian Breast Cancer Network and to offer our support for Bill C-314, an act respecting the awareness of screening among women with dense breast tissue.
The Canadian Breast Cancer Network is the only national survivor-driven and survivor-focused organization in the breast cancer sector and is the voice of breast cancer survivors in Canada. We represent the concerns of over 225 partners and member organizations across Canada, as well as those of all Canadians affected by breast cancer and those at risk. CBCN's main goals are to improve access to quality breast cancer care for all Canadians and expand the influence of breast cancer survivors and families in all aspects of the breast cancer decision-making process.
It is estimated that over 23,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and that over 5,100 of them will die from the disease. The Canadian Breast Cancer Network supports efforts made by the federal government to help women make decisions that will increase their chances of survival. As a breast cancer survivor myself, I know first-hand the importance of education and awareness around screening and treatment of breast cancer.
We are pleased to support this bill, as it encourages the use of existing programs to increase awareness, to determine gaps in information, to improve information and education to women undergoing breast cancer screening, and to address the challenges of screening with dense breast tissue. We encourage any pan-Canadian efforts by the federal government, as this will ensure that all Canadians have equal access to breast cancer programs, therapies, and services.
We applaud the efforts brought forward by the member for Barrie in Bill C-314. We would like to see a more clearly defined approach for implementing this bill that will ensure the desired outcomes are met. The member for Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar mentioned that there is currently a tool available through the Canadian breast cancer screening initiative to assist in decision-making pertaining to breast cancer screening. She indicated that this tool--“Information on Mammography for Women Aged 40 and Older”--will be revised to include breast density information. While we believe this to be a beneficial step, we would like to see additional mechanisms in place, clearly outlined, to indicate how this bill proposes to ensure that it meets its objectives.
One of the mechanisms the Canadian Breast Cancer Network would like to see clearly identified is an increased awareness and education for practitioners around screening women with dense breast tissue. The practitioners play an integral role in educating the patients and helping to recommend the appropriate type of screening that would most benefit those with dense breast tissue.
The Canadian Breast Cancer Network agrees that patient education and awareness are imperative when trying to provide necessary information to women being screened with dense breast tissue. We do, however, echo the concerns of the member for Vancouver Centre and the member for St. Paul's: while we want to see increased awareness around the issue, we need to ensure that we are not increasing anxiety in this population.
We are pleased with the federal government's continued commitment to work with the provinces through the Canadian breast cancer screening initiative and to provide education and awareness to Canadians through the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.
The member for Scarborough—Rouge River identified recommendations the Canadian Breast Cancer Network has put forward that will make a difference for Canadian women. We would like to highlight how they relate to breast cancer screening for women with dense breast tissue.
While there are now more digital mammogram machines available across Canada, we need to continue to ensure that we invest in state of-the-art technology. Digital mammograms and MRIs are some of the diagnostic tools that are available to help address the challenges of screening women with dense breast tissue. We urge the federal government to continue to invest in new technologies to help Canadian women.
Currently there are no established or travelling screening facilities available in Nunavut. The federal and territorial governments must work together to establish a screening program for Nunavut that includes technologies that will address the needs of women with dense breast tissue.
In closing, the Canadian Breast Cancer Network would like to add our support for this bill, and we are encouraged that the federal government is taking a step in the right direction. However, we need a commitment from the government that this bill will be implemented in a timely manner in ways that will benefit women fighting this disease.
On behalf of the Canadian Breast Cancer Network, I would like to thank the committee for this opportunity to speak here this morning. Thank you.