Ontario Hospital Reports 166% Spike in Breast Cancer Cases, More Young Women Diagnosed
Breast cancer diagnoses in Canada have reached an all-time high, with one Toronto hospital reporting a staggering 166 per cent increase in new cases. The alarming trend is not only driving up overall numbers but also highlighting a troubling rise in younger patients being diagnosed with the disease.
The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that in 2024 alone, 30,800 new breast cancer cases were recorded across the country—up significantly from nearly 21,000 cases in 2019. Experts attribute the surge to a combination of factors, including improved detection methods and a backlog of undiagnosed cases from the COVID-19 pandemic.
For Robby Spring, a 37-year-old breast cancer survivor, the statistics are deeply personal. Diagnosed at just 35, she was forced to undergo chemotherapy for an aggressive form of the disease. Adding to the heartbreak, her 43-year-old sister received a breast cancer diagnosis just two months earlier, following in the painful footsteps of their mother, who battled the illness five years prior.
“I just didn’t want to call my mom,” Spring recalled. “How could I tell her that she has two daughters going through cancer at the same time? One (daughter) is a nightmare, but two?”
At Toronto’s North York General Hospital, breast cancer cases skyrocketed from 1,155 in 2019 to 3,076 in 2023. Dr. Brian Pinchuk, a surgical oncologist at the hospital, says the rise isn’t just about numbers—it’s about who is being diagnosed.
“The highest number of newly diagnosed patients we’re seeing are under 50 years of age,” Dr. Pinchuk said. “We’re seeing a lot of younger patients come through our centre.”
The increase in younger cases underscores the growing urgency for early detection. Currently, Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Atlantic Canada allow women as young as 40 to request mammograms, while Alberta and Manitoba set the threshold at 45. Quebec is reviewing its policy, but even under these guidelines, Spring—diagnosed at 35—would not have qualified for early screening anywhere in the country.
“The younger you are, the more likely you have a more aggressive breast cancer,” Spring warned. “Catching it early is imperative.”
Experts argue that expanded access to mammograms will likely lead to even higher case numbers—but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
“Patients that have been screened at an earlier stage have better outcomes,” said Kimberly Carson, CEO of Breast Cancer Canada. “The diagnosis is less invasive, there’s less treatment involved, and it’s more cost-effective for the healthcare system.”
However, screening alone isn’t always enough. Spring, who has dense breast tissue, received a clear mammogram before an ultrasound revealed a 1.5-centimetre tumour—an experience that underscores the limitations of traditional mammography for some women.
“My sister and I ended up undergoing breast cancer treatment at the same time,” Spring said, urging women to advocate for additional screening methods.
As the number of breast cancer cases continues to climb, healthcare professionals stress the need for greater awareness, earlier screening, and policy changes to ensure that young women aren’t left behind.