Breast Cancer Canada (BCC) and the Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology (CSSO) are proud to announce the inaugural BCC-CSSO Career Development Research Award, a $200,000 investment aimed to build Canada’s breast surgical oncology research capacity and improve care delivery across the country. The inaugural recipient is Dr. Matthew Castelo.
The award encourages partnership and co-investment by host academic institutions and to create opportunities for Canadians working within or abroad to return to practice in Canada. The award aims to ensure continuity of excellence in Canadian breast surgical oncology expertise, maintain Canada’s competitive edge in breast cancer research excellence and build capacity by investing in the next generation of breast surgical oncology leaders.
“Breast Cancer Canada’s partnership with CSSO is more than a funding opportunity,” says Kimberly Carson, CEO of Breast Cancer Canada. “This is a strategic investment in the future of breast cancer care in Canada. By supporting emerging surgical oncologists at a critical stage in their careers, we are building a robust academic pipeline, deepening national research capacity, and ensuring that innovation in surgical oncology is homegrown. Partnerships like this demonstrate how we move from isolated advances to a more connected system of progress for breast cancer patients across the country.”
“We are delighted to be able to recognize an emerging leader in our surgical oncology community whose research demonstrates exceptional potential to advance cancer care and improve patient outcomes in Canada,” says Dr. Ari Meguerditchian, President Elect of the Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology. A surgical oncologist specializing in breast cancer at the McGill University Health Centre and Scientific Director of the St. Mary’s Research Centre in Montreal, Dr. Meguerditchian oversaw the review and adjudication process.
Dr. Castelo, general surgeon and breast surgical oncology fellow at the University of Toronto, has been selected for his innovative project, PROTECT, which intends to use Ontario’s linked health administrative data to examine variation in breast cancer surgical care across surgeons, institutions, and regions.
His research will address three key areas: de-escalation of axillary surgery, access to autologous breast reconstruction and the plastic surgery workforce, and patterns of adjuvant endocrine therapy prescribing by surgeons versus medical oncologists. By identifying unwarranted variation, his work aims to improve equity, access, and adherence to evolving evidence-based standards in breast cancer care.
“I’m honored to receive the inaugural BCC-CSSO Career Development Research Award in Breast Surgical Oncology. This support will allow me to establish a research program examining important differences in how surgeons treat breast cancer in Canada. Understanding why cancer patients do not have access to the same treatments depending on where they live and who they see is the first step in reducing inequities in care. I’m so grateful to the funders and the selection committee for their support in embarking on an academic career as a Canadian surgical oncologist,” says Dr. Castelo.
The BCC–CSSO Career Development Research Award supports early-career investigators in establishing independent research programs and contributing to advancements in surgical oncology, and reflects a shared commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and excellence in cancer research across Canada.
Supported by ICES and a strong mentorship environment at London Health Sciences Center and St. Joseph’s Health Care London, Dr. Castelo is well positioned to lead impactful research that will shape the future of surgical oncology in Canada.
Breast Cancer Canada and the Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology are proud to support this level of investment in emerging leaders and are eager to see the meaningful leadership outcomes that will arise from this funding, strengthening the future of Canadian breast cancer care and research.
