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May 20, 2026

Geographic variation in female breast cancer incidence and mortality in Canada
by Rochelle Garner and John Than

Previous research has found variability in cancer incidence and cancer-related outcomes according to place of residence. This study examined geographic variability in the incidence and mortality of breast cancer among females in Canada, using data from the 2021 Canadian Cancer Registry (breast cancer incidence) and the Canadian Vital Statistics – Death database (breast cancer mortality). Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) and age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) per 100,000 females per year and their rate ratios were calculated, as well as age group-specific and age-standardized stage-specific incidence rates, and examined across provinces and territories, community sizes, and peer groups (i.e., clusters of health regions with similar socioeconomic and demographic characteristics).

Enhancing the OncoSim-Breast model using Canadian breast density information
by Oguzhan Alagoz, Rochelle Garner, Claude Nadeau, Andrew Coldman, Jean Hai Ein Yong, Martin Yaffe, James Mainprize, and Dori Simeonov

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Canada. Breast density substantially influences breast cancer risk and mammography performance. However, OncoSim-Breast, a Canadian microsimulation model representing breast cancer control, including cancer onset, screening, and survival, has not previously explicitly accounted for breast density. This study describes the incorporation of density-specific parameters—prevalence, relative risk of breast cancer, and digital mammography performance (sensitivity and specificity)—using data from five Canadian provinces, into the OncoSim-Breast model. Calibration experiments and internal validations were conducted to ensure the updated OncoSim-Breast model aligned with observed data from the Canadian Cancer Registry.

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