Canada

She died of breast cancer. She said it didn’t have to be that way

Tanja Harrison’s tragic death from breast cancer has left a lasting impact on those who knew her and those who have heard her story. Before her passing, Tanja left a powerful message for the world: supplemental screening could have saved her life. This message serves as a reminder of the importance of early detection and the need for better screening options for women with dense breasts.

In 2021, Tanja received a routine mammogram that came back clear. However, she later discovered that she had dense breasts, which can make it difficult for mammograms to detect cancerous tumors. Despite requesting supplemental screening in the form of an MRI or ultrasound, Tanja was denied this potentially life-saving option. Two years later, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer with extensive bone metastases, a diagnosis that was terminal.

Tanja’s story has become a rallying cry for advocates pushing for supplemental screening to become standard for women with dense breasts. Dense breast tissue can obscure cancer on a mammogram, making it more difficult to detect early-stage tumors. Supplemental screening, such as ultrasounds or MRIs, can pick up irregularities that mammograms may miss. Unfortunately, many women are not given the option for supplemental screening, putting them at a higher risk for undiagnosed breast cancer.

Despite facing a terminal illness, Tanja became a vocal advocate for supplemental screening, sharing her story and fighting for change. Her friend, Kim Harris, described Tanja as someone who always wanted to pave the way for others, even in the face of her own struggles. Tanja’s advocacy efforts led her to work with Dense Breasts Canada and share her story with lawmakers in Nova Scotia, hoping to make supplemental screening more accessible for women with dense breasts.

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While Nova Scotia has historically been a leader in breast cancer screening, offering high-risk screening programs for patients with certain risk factors, supplemental screening for dense breasts is not widely available. Advocates like Jennie Dale of Dense Breasts Canada argue that all women with dense breasts should have access to supplemental screening, as mammograms alone may miss up to 40% of cancers in women with dense breast tissue.

Other provinces in Canada are beginning to recognize the importance of supplemental screening for women with dense breasts. Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario are considering publicly funding supplemental screening options, such as ultrasounds or MRIs, for women with dense breast tissue. These efforts aim to improve early detection rates and reduce the emotional and financial burden of late-stage cancer diagnoses.

Dr. Jean Seely, a radiology professor at the University of Ottawa, emphasized the cost-effectiveness of supplemental screening, noting that diagnosing cancer at an early stage can lead to lower treatment costs and better outcomes for patients. While the long-term impact of supplemental screening on mortality rates is still being studied, the potential benefits for women with dense breasts are significant.

Tanja’s legacy lives on through the advocacy work of her friends and allies, who are committed to ensuring that all women have access to the screening options they need to detect breast cancer early. Tanja’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of advocating for better healthcare options and fighting for change in honor of those we have lost.

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