For the first time in Canada, the country’s leading breast cancer experts have come together to establish national standards for breast cancer. This suite of publications released in Current Oncology today set a new benchmark for equitable, evidence-based care from staging, surgery and through treatment.
“Until now, Canada has had no unified national standard for breast cancer staging and treatment, resulting in significant differences in care plans and patient outcomes depending on where someone lives,” said Kimberly Carson, CEO of Breast Cancer Canada. “That is why we established REAL Canadian Breast Cancer Alliance in 2023, to create comprehensive national consensus recommendations that ensure every patient benefits from the latest research and clinical advancements.”
A recent national poll by Breast Cancer Canada underscores strong public support for this work:
92% of Canadians say they would trust national treatment guidelines if they were developed by
a coalition of Canada’s top breast cancer experts and based on evidence, research, and patient
needs.
“National recommendations are about more than treatment. It’s about equity,” said Dr. Mita Manna, Chair of REAL Canadian Breast Cancer Alliance, Medical Oncologist at the Saskatchewan Cancer Centre and is the former Saskatchewan Disease Site Group Chair for Breast Malignancies and the Multidisciplinary Tumor Board Chair for Breast Malignancies. “No patient’s outcome should depend on their postal code. Canada’s top oncologists and researchers are setting a national benchmark for breast cancer care that reflects the latest
science and the realities patients face every day.”
Integrating the latest clinical data from Canada and major international conferences including ESMO, ASCO, and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, this evidence is translated into clear Canadian guidance to ensure patients nationwide benefit from the most effective and innovative treatment options.
“Breast Cancer Canada is committed to providing the right answers for every major breast cancer subtype,” shared Carson. “Research only creates impact when it reaches patients. Through REAL Alliance, we are turning the best global evidence into national solutions, creating clear standards that support better access, improved outcomes, and more equitable care for every Canadian facing breast cancer.”
The National Consensus Recommendations cover all major breast cancer subtypes and staging, and now include:
- Clinical Breast Cancer Staging
- Treatment of HER2+ Breast Cancer
- Treatment Management of HR+ Early Stage Breast Cancer
- Treatment Management of HR+ Advanced Stage Breast Cancer
- Treatment Management of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
All published recommendations can be accessed by visiting: realalliance.ca/recommendations
REAL Canadian Breast Cancer Alliance brings together leading clinical experts from across Canada, spanning medical, radiation, and surgical oncology, as well as oncology pharmacy. Published on Current Oncology and realalliance.ca, all recommendations provide open-access guidance for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers working to improve breast cancer outcomes across Canada.
