Dense breasts increase the risk of breast cancer and increase the risk a cancer will be masked on a mammogram. Shouldn't women know? 

Currently, ALL women having a screening mammogram in  BC, AB, MB, NB, NS and PEI are told their breast density.  Later this year (2023) all women in ON, NL, SK, and NWT will be told their density category. But in YT and QC, women are not told.  Don't all women have a right to their health information? Knowing and understanding your breast density can be life-saving. About 43% of women between the ages of 40 and 74 have dense breasts. Having dense breasts is normal; however, dense breasts pose a double whammy:

1. Women with dense breasts are at an increased risk of breast cancer. This risk is higher than having a family history of breast cancer.

2. Dense breast tissue can hide cancer on a mammogram. This is because both dense breast tissue and cancer appear white. It’s like trying to find a snowball in a snowstorm. In fact, women with dense breasts who receive an all clear mammogram may still have an undetected cancer. This means cancers are not detected until a later stage.

All women deserve the opportunity for an early stage diagnosis.

Dense Breasts Canada is hearing too many “Had I Known” stories from women who were never told they had dense breasts, never told it could hide cancer and elevate risk, and are now battling late-stage breast cancer.

All women should be informed of their breast density so they can make informed decisions about their health care. Women with dense breasts should have the chance to make lifestyle changes to reduce cancer risk, practice self-exams between screenings and seek additional screening (e.g. ultrasound). Additional screening can increase detection of early stage breast cancer.

5500 Canadian women will die this year from breast cancer. Lives can be saved if women are told their breast density and given the information to be proactive about their health.

Please sign and share this petition calling on the health ministers of QC and YT to provide ALL women information about their breast density and its associated risks so they can be proactive about their own breast health.

For more information on breast density please visit: www.densebreastscanada.ca www.mybreastscreening.ca