A new Statistics Canada study has found regional differences in breast cancer incidence and mortality rates across Canada, highlighting calls for more standardized screening and treatment nationwide.
The study found breast cancer rates were highest in rural regions in Quebec, Ontario, and the Prairies, as well as in urban centres with large immigrant and minority populations.
Rates were lowest in northern and remote regions with younger populations, and large metropolitan areas including Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Researchers examined data from the Canadian Cancer Registry and the Canadian Vital Statistics–Death Database. They compared breast cancer incidence and mortality rates across provinces and territories, communities of different sizes, and health regions with similar demographic and socioeconomic profiles. They also analyzed age-standardized rates per 100,000 women, along with incidence rates by age group and stage of cancer….