Salimeh Maghsoudlou, a federal public servant and policy analyst, was surprised to find a lump in her breast during her pregnancy in 2019. Despite feeling healthy, tests revealed she had breast cancer. Undergoing chemotherapy while pregnant, she continued treatment post-birth with surgery and radiotherapy, turning her anticipated joy of motherhood into a battle for survival.
Maghsoudlou’s experience shed light on the lack of routine breast examinations in Quebec’s prenatal care, a departure from practices in other countries she had lived in. The absence of early detection through regular breast exams further compounded the challenges she faced.
Quebec continues to report the highest cancer incidence rates in Canada, particularly for lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. Lung cancer alone sees nearly 11,000 new cases annually, with breast cancer rates among women ranking highest in the nation.
Dr. Denis Soulières, a hematologist-oncologist and spokesperson for the Canadian Cancer Society, emphasizes the urgent need for preventive measures and organized care to address the escalating cancer cases in Quebec. While the province has breast cancer screening guidelines, there is a significant gap in colorectal cancer screening programs, making early detection and prevention crucial in reducing cancer-related mortality rates.
Advocacy groups highlight the strain on Quebec’s healthcare system due to staffing shortages and limited resources, hindering progress in cancer prevention and treatment. The province’s Health Ministry acknowledges the high cancer incidence rates but points out a decline in cancer mortality rates in recent years. Screening programs for breast, lung, cervical cancers, and colorectal cancer using stool tests have been implemented or expanded to improve early detection and access to screening services.
Maghsoudlou, now in good health along with her son, acknowledges the lasting emotional impact of her cancer journey, underscoring the persistent fear of mortality that survivors often grapple with.
