Released during October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the findings highlight a gap in women's healthcare: while early detection remains critical, women also need clear information about what comes next and the options available to them.
"We've made important progress in encouraging women to get screened, but the conversation can't stop there," said Ivy Parks, President, BD-Canada. "When something concerning is found, women deserve to understand their options and feel supported through the next steps. That means looking beyond screening to how we can make the entire experience clearer, more timely and more responsive to their needs."
The research found that 93% of women say being informed about all medically appropriate options would be important if they needed a procedure to investigate or remove a suspicious breast lesion. Meanwhile, 86% say having a less invasive procedure, where medically appropriate, would be important.
Advancements in medical technology, including vacuum-assisted breast procedures, are creating opportunities for less invasive approaches to tissue sampling and the removal of certain breast lesions in appropriate clinical circumstances. However, ensuring patients can benefit from these advances requires more than innovation alone. It also requires clear pathways to evaluate, fund, and integrate medical technologies into care.
"There's so much promising innovation happening in women's health, and the next step is making sure those advances reach the women who can benefit from them,” said Rachel Bartholomew, Founder of Femtech Canada and Founder and CEO of Hyivy Health. “By continuing to improve how we evaluate, fund and integrate medical technologies into care, Canada has an opportunity to make meaningful progress for women's health."
With 94% of women agreeing that Canada needs greater investment in medical innovation addressing women's health needs, the findings reinforce the need to consider how healthcare systems can better support access to appropriate medical technologies alongside other advances in care.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BD-Canada is calling for a broader conversation about breast health, one that goes beyond encouraging women to get screened and ensures they have the information, options and support they need afterward.
About the survey:
The online survey was conducted by Leger from September 21–28, 2026, among 1,505 Canadian adults, including 748 women. As a nonprobability online survey, a conventional margin of error does not apply.
About BD:
BD is one of the world’s largest pure-play medical technology companies with a Purpose of advancing the world of health™ by driving innovation across medical essentials, connected care, biopharma systems and interventional. The company supports those on the frontlines of healthcare by developing transformative technologies, services and solutions that optimize clinical operations and improve care for patients. Operating across the globe, with more than 60,000 employees, BD delivers billions of products annually that have a positive impact on global healthcare. By working in close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase clinical efficiency, improve safety and expand access to healthcare. For more information on BD, please visit bd.com or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/bd1/, X or Instagram @becton_dickinson.
