Toronto resident Elysia Bryan noticed a lump in her right breast during the summer of 2020. Despite being in good health at 34, she hesitated to seek screening for breast cancer, hoping the lump would vanish. Bryan eventually visited her family doctor in April 2021, leading to a breast cancer diagnosis at St. Michael’s Hospital. Following a lumpectomy and extensive treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation, she is now cancer-free and advocates for early breast cancer detection.

The Hologic Global Women’s Health Index revealed that only 15% of Canadian women and 25% of American women underwent breast or cervical cancer screening in the past year. The study highlighted disparities, showing that women from lower-income backgrounds, ethnic minorities, and newcomers were less likely to undergo screening. A year ago, Ontario lowered the self-referral age for mammograms by a decade to improve early detection and treatment accessibility.

Despite the changes, only 21% of eligible women aged 40 to 49 in Ontario have been screened post-adjustment. Dr. Supriya Kulkarni from the University Health Network emphasized the need to reach underrepresented communities, including immigrants and refugees, for screenings. Efforts are underway to encourage broader screening participation and improve health outcomes for marginalized populations.

Dr. Ritika Goel, a Toronto family doctor, highlighted the challenges faced by socially marginalized groups in accessing healthcare, particularly breast cancer screening. Structural and social determinants of health play a significant role in the disparities observed in cancer screening rates among racialized and immigrant women. Meanwhile, Ontario Health has taken steps to enhance awareness and accessibility through multilingual materials and tailored preventive care programs.

By leveraging technological advancements to enhance screening comfort and accessibility, the goal is to increase screening rates and save more lives by reaching a broader audience.