Socio-regional inequities in breast cancer screening in Quebec: Best practices for equitable participation in the Quebec breast cancer screening program (PQDCS)

Breast cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths in Quebec, which accounts for nearly a quarter of Canada’s cases. Although early detection through the Quebec Breast Cancer Screening Program (PQDCS) saves lives, participation remains below the 70% target, with significant regional and linguistic disparities.

English-speaking women—especially those with limited French proficiency or living in vulnerable conditions—face added barriers such as language challenges, lower health literacy, socioeconomic constraints, and limited trust in the health system. Montreal, home to many English-speaking and diverse communities, has the lowest screening rates in the province, showing that bilingual materials alone are not enough.

This project brings together researchers, community organizations, and institutional partners to better understand these inequities and co-create solutions. Using an intersectional and equity-focused approach, the study will explore how language and social determinants affect access to screening, identify barriers, and assess the potential of community-based health navigation.

Outputs:

Coming soon…