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Understanding the impact of dense breast tissue
Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers affecting women globally, and in Nova Scotia, the situation is particularly alarming. The recent death of Tanja Harrison, a 53-year-old librarian, has sparked a renewed call for the province to revise its breast cancer screening policies, especially for women with dense breast tissue.
Dense breasts can obscure tumors during mammograms, making early detection significantly more challenging. This issue is not just a statistic; it has real-life implications, as evidenced by Harrison’s heartbreaking story.
The call for policy reform
Friends and advocates, including Jennie Dale from Dense Breasts Canada, are urging the Nova Scotia government to take immediate action.
They argue that if a more comprehensive screening policy had been in place, Harrison might have detected her cancer earlier. “We really need to see the government step up. They know the evidence is there,” Dale stated. The current screening guidelines in Nova Scotia do not adequately address the needs of women with dense breast tissue, leaving many at risk of late-stage diagnoses.
Personal stories highlight systemic failures
Harrison’s experience is not an isolated case. Rafah DiCostanzo, a former Liberal MLA and friend of Harrison, also faced challenges with her breast cancer diagnosis. Despite multiple negative mammograms, she discovered a lump that led to a mastectomy and extensive chemotherapy.
“The delay in not finding it in 2022… literally I call it hell,” she expressed. These personal accounts underscore the urgent need for change in the screening process, as many women are left vulnerable due to inadequate policies.
Current screening practices and their limitations
The Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program currently operates a high-risk screening initiative, but advocates argue that this is insufficient. While the program incorporates breast density into risk models, many women with dense breasts do not qualify as “high risk” and thus lack access to supplemental screening options.
Dale emphasizes that mammograms alone are not enough for these women, who may be at an elevated risk of breast cancer but do not meet the stringent criteria for high-risk screening.
Advocacy and the path forward
In light of these challenges, advocates are committed to honoring Harrison’s legacy by continuing to push for policy changes. Dale and DiCostanzo are determined to ensure that no other woman faces the same fate as their friend. They are advocating for the introduction of the Find It Early Act, which aims to provide funding for more detailed screenings for women with dense breast tissue. Although the bill did not pass, the fight for equitable access to healthcare continues.
