Thank you, Ms. Van Dusen.

Thanks also to the members of the committee.

A growing number of Canadian provinces have begun expanding access to breast cancer screening services to people starting at age 40, or have said they would expand access. While the provinces and territories are examining the new national guidelines on this subject, the CCS is calling on governments that have not yet done so to include women aged 40 to 49 who are at average risk of breast cancer in their organized cancer screening programs. This change also reflects the new evidence that has been published between the last update of the guidelines in 2018 and the guidelines that were presented a few weeks ago.

The data about participation in the breast cancer screening program in Canada will be updated shortly by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Our most recent figures date from before the pandemic, and at that time, breast cancer screening programs were not hitting the national target of a 70% participation rate. It is therefore important to expand the capacity to meet the needs of Canadians while at the same time adapting our services to address the needs of underserved populations.

As well, the CCS recommends that the federal government invest more in research, to expand our knowledge about screening and the risks associated with cancer. It is also important to close the gaps in the data so we have a better understanding of the impact of breast cancer in Canada. The pan-Canadian Cancer Data Strategy and the pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy offer good opportunities for improving the data in Canada.

In addition, governments must invest in prevention, early detection and treatment, and reducing the effects of the labour shortage. Those investments include new investments in human resources, integrating new technologies, digital infrastructure, and modernizing care paths to meet the present and future needs of Canadians.

As a final note, I would like to thank you for taking the time to listen to our recommendations. We are eager to continue working together to offer better support to people affected by cancer, because to take on cancer, it takes a society.