How we do it

Breast cancer guideline update (2024)

For women* at average and moderately increased risk of breast cancer

Who

The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care

• Independent group of primary care and prevention experts
• Internationally respected for their expertise in evaluating evidence
• 6 primary care physicians
• 4 specialists
• 2 nurse practitioners

What

• Develops rigorous, evidence-based preventive health care guidelines for primary care based on impartiality, collaboration and inclusivity 

Why

• To improve the health of Canadians by identifying beneficial screening and prevention practices 

How

• Stakeholder engagement
• Expert and peer reviewers
• Citizens and clinicians
• Health organizations
• University of Alberta, University of Ottawa, University of Manitoba, Institute for Health Economics (Edmonton) research team
  • systematically review and analyze scientific evidence
  • provide an evidence summary

Phase 1^†

1. Broad evidence overview
2. Research plan
3. Comprehensive evidence review using international best practices 
   • Assess 1000s of articles, RCTs + observational studies + more, + modelling^††,+ Statistics Canada data
     1. Analyze data
     2. Assess evidence quality
     3. Modelling
     4. Draft recommendations

Who

• Guideline
  • Evidence Review and Synthesis Centres
  • 4 content experts
    • medical oncologist
    • radiation oncologist
    • surgical oncologist
    • radiologist
  • Patient partners
  • Task Force members
  •  Science team**
  • Modelling team

Phase 2 – Draft recommendations 

 Draft guideline + draft tools

•  Stakeholder and public input e.g. From cancer agencies, screening programs, cancer experts, public and other groups 

Phase 3 – Final guideline

• Publication
• Patient and clinician tools 

†120 people, including 22 experts and representatives from 87 organizations, were asked for their input on the research plan, systematic review, and/or draft guideline. Responses to all comments will be published.

†August 2023 – 19 people and 9 organizations = 145 documents for potential inclusion via online portal

††Commissioned

*People assigned female at birth

**Public Health Agency of Canada