Fact Sheet

The Government of Canada works with private sector to invest in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's Breast Health Program

News Release: Government of Canada works with private sector to invest in breast health

The Public Health Agency of Canada is providing the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Region with $500,000, matched dollar for dollar with private sector funding, to support a project entitled “Breast Health Program.”

The Program aims to increase awareness and understanding among Ontario women aged 40+ of the behaviours required to reduce the risk of breast cancer. The Program will promote print, digital and innovative social media approaches, to encourage women to make healthy lifestyle changes and informed decisions about their breast health.

Specific project activities include:

• development of a personalized risk reduction tool – an interactive digital tool to inform women about risk factors and to provide personalized information on how to reduce their risk through lifestyle changes;
• development of a social facilitation app, which will encourage women to try new activities and share experiences by connecting them to peers in their community;
• dissemination of health promotion resources focused on risk reduction to targeted environments, including primary health care offices; and
• the production of a “risk reduction mobile table top display,” which will communicate key messages around risk reduction and will be featured in a variety of community events across Ontario.

While the project is Ontario-focussed, there is potential for expansion and the online information can be used by Canadians across the country.

A collaborative effort
CBCF-Ontario will work with the health sector and several corporate partners to enhance and extend the reach of this project. Corporate partners include Shoppers Drug Mart, Brookfield Johnson Controls, Davis + Henderson, Govan Brown, Davis LLP, and CIBC.

Government of Canada action on chronic disease Innovation and greater impact can be achieved through engaging all segments of society–communities, academia, the charitable and not-for-profit sector and the private sector–to address complex social issues such as the prevention of chronic diseases.

As such, the Public Health Agency of Canada (the Agency) is placing greater emphasis on innovative, multi-sectoral ideas and partnerships, leveraging resources and achieving greater accountability for results.

Under the Integrated Strategy on Healthy Living and Chronic Disease, the Agency is supporting coordinated action on common risk factors for chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.