World Breast Cancer Research Day

The Centre for Health Innovation|August 30, 2026

hands holding pink ribbons on pink background, Breast cancer awareness and October Pink , world cancer day

You have likely heard that October is breast cancer awareness month, but did you know that August 18^th was named World Breast Cancer Research Day (WBCR Day)? August 18^th was named WBCR Day in 2021 by Dr. Susan Love, founder of the Susan Love Foundation.¹ Research is keystone to making advancements in screening, treatment and improving overall quality of life of those diagnosed with breast cancer.

Why August 18th?

The Susan Love Foundation chose this date to symbolize the 1 in 8 women and (less commonly) the 1 in 833 men who are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

Breast Cancer Research and Drug Development

Public opinion on the progress of cancer research does not always align with the realities of research and drug development. While most people recognize that treatment of breast cancer has made significant improvements over the years, many believe that new treatments take too long to become available to patients.²

In breast cancer specifically, a survey found that 93% of Canadians believed new treatments should be available within a year, yet from 2016-2024, only 5 of the 20 most recently approved treatments were funded within six months in Canada.³ This illustrates the time it takes to evaluate, negotiate, and implement a treatment after it gets regulatory approval. The reality is that Canada ranks behind other G7 nations in terms of timely access to new breast cancer treatments.³

Doctor and patient discussing something while sitting at the table . Medicine and health care concept.

Another reality is that the time it takes to get from a new treatment discovery, often in a pre-clinical study, all the way to a formal prescription can take several years. It requires sequential lab studies, clinical trials, regulatory review, and implementation, which involves many different researchers, doctors, patient advocates, regulatory bodies, and more! Questions need to be answered, such as, do the results we see in cell or animal studies really translate to humans? What dose gives us what effect? What side effects might occur? Who might this drug be unsafe for? Does the treatment work better than what is already on the market? How will this be funded?

This discrepancy causes understandable tension between the urgency felt by patients and the time required to generate robust evidence. This provides important context for the timeline below.

The History of Breast Cancer Research

Figure 1 - Timeline of Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.^1,4,5

The Patterson Institute and Breast Cancer Research

At the Patterson Institute for Integrative Oncology Research, we are evaluating a 6-week program called “Head Start” for people newly diagnosed with breast cancer(opens in new tab). The program is led by a Yoga Therapist, Anne Pitman, and covers informational talks, group support and guided activities with guest speakers on nutrition, exercise, mind-body practices, stress management, integrative medicine and healthy lifestyle. The program is being studied to determine its effect on participant anxiety and depression. Stay tuned for the next session, set to enroll in October 2026.

Follow the Patterson Institute for Integrative Oncology Research on socials for more:

Author: Dr. Erica Rizzolo, ND

Erica is a licensed naturopathic doctor at The Centre for Health Innovation, where she works with people affected by cancer, digestive concerns and mental health conditions such as anxiety, eating disorders and ADHD. Erica works part-time in clinic and part-time as a research assistant at The Patterson Institute for Integrative Oncology Research. She obtained her Doctor of Naturopathy degree from The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), with a focus shift at the Integrative Cancer Centre-CCNM. Erica also serves on the INCAM Research Network Board of Directors and is a member of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the Psychiatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

References

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Foundation TCR. World Breast Cancer Research Day, love and research for the cure. 2026. https://worldbreastcancerresearchday.org/(opens in new tab)
Ramers-Verhoeven CW, Geipel GL, Howie M. New insights into public perceptions of cancer. Ecancermedicalscience. 2013;7:349. doi:10.3332/ecancer.2013.349
Canada BC. Progress Report. 2024. Accessed August 2026. https://www.flipsnack.com/E7FBBD99E8C/2024-progress-report/full-view.html(opens in new tab)
Team CBCN. World Breast Cancer Research Day. 2026. https://www.cbcn.ca/en/blog/our-stories/world-bc-research-day(opens in new tab)
Hortobagyi GN. Breast Cancer: 45 Years of Research and Progress. J Clin Oncol. Jul 20 2020;38(21):2454-2462. doi:10.1200/jco.20.00199pens in new tab)