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Breast Cancer Surgery Wait Times in Ontario (2025)

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Breast cancer surgery in Ontario serves as a crucial treatment option for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer, aiming to remove cancerous cells and potentially reduce the risk of cancer spreading or recurring. This surgery is among the primary treatments for breast cancer, tailored to the specific type, stage, and characteristics of the cancer, as well as patient preferences and overall health.

In Ontario, the public healthcare system, supported by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), provides coverage for breast cancer surgery, ensuring that patients have access to necessary treatments without the burden of significant out-of-pocket costs. The system emphasizes timely and equitable access to care, although patients may experience varying wait times based on the urgency of their condition and local healthcare resources.

The process leading to breast cancer surgery involves a comprehensive diagnostic and planning phase. This includes imaging tests, biopsies, and consultations with a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including surgeons, oncologists, and radiologists, to determine the most appropriate surgical approach. The goal is to achieve the best possible outcome while minimizing the impact on the patient's body and quality of life.

Breast cancer surgery options in Ontario include lumpectomy (also known as breast-conserving surgery), where only the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue are removed, and mastectomy, where one or both breasts are removed, depending on the extent of the cancer. Sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection may also be performed to check for the spread of cancer to the lymph nodes.

Advancements in surgical techniques and breast reconstruction options offer patients in Ontario choices that can help maintain their body image and quality of life post-surgery. Reconstruction can be done at the time of mastectomy or as a separate surgery later, using implants or tissue from other parts of the body.

Post-operative care is an integral part of the recovery process, including wound care, managing side effects, and monitoring for signs of recurrence or complications. Patients also receive support in making informed decisions about adjuvant therapies, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy, based on the pathology results of the removed tissue.

Ontario hospitals with shortest breast cancer surgery wait times

In this study, we elected to rank hospitals by the proportion of patients undergoing breast cancer surgery within the designated target times, as opposed to solely quantifying the duration between referral to first consultation (Wait 1) and from decision to surgery (Wait 2).

Below is the list of Ontario hospitals with 100% of patients being treated within their target timeframes.

  • 💯  Scarborough Health Network - Birchmount
  • 💯  Markham Stouffville Hospital
  • 💯  Scarborough Health Network - Scarborough General Site
  • 💯  Scarborough Health Network - Centenary
  • 💯  Sinai Health System - Mount Sinai Hospital
  • 💯  William Osler Health System - Etobicoke General
  • 💯  Trillium Health Partners - Mississauga Hospital
  • 💯  Halton Healthcare Services Corporation - Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital
  • 💯  Toronto East Health Network - Michael Garron Hospital
  • 💯  St. Joseph's Health Care London - St. Joseph's Hospital
  • 💯  Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
  • 💯  North Bay Regional Health Centre - North Bay Site
  • 💯  Sault Area Hospital - Sault Ste Marie

Our approach is rooted in the principle of prioritizing timely access to treatment, a factor of critical importance in the management of breast cancer. Early intervention can significantly influence patient outcomes, making the adherence to target treatment times a vital metric of healthcare system performance. By focusing on whether patients receive surgery within these target periods, we are better positioned to evaluate the effectiveness of healthcare services in meeting urgent treatment needs.

Moreover, by measuring the percentage of patients treated within target times, we simplify the process of analyzing and comparing healthcare efficiency across different providers or regions. This metric provides a clear, binary outcome—either the target was met or it was not—thereby facilitating a more straightforward assessment of where improvements are needed to enhance patient care.

Ontario hospitals with longest breast cancer surgery wait times

Below are five top hospitals in Ontario which have the longest breast cancer surgery wait times:

  • The Ottawa Hospital - Riverside Campus: This hospital reports the longest wait times for breast cancer surgery in Ontario. Unfortunately, only 2% of patients receive treatment within the established target time.
  • Queensway Carleton Hospital: This hospital ranks fourth for the longest wait times. Approximately 22% of patients receive treatment within the established target time.
  • Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre: The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre ranks fifth for the longest wait times in Ontario for breast cancer surgery, with 35% of patients receiving treatment within the target time.

How to interpret wait times

Emergency cases (Priority 1) receive immediate attention and are not included in wait time data. Priority 1 patients are those who face a life-threatening situation if the surgery is not performed immediately.

Surgeons, specialists, and healthcare administrators establish priority levels 2, 3, and 4, along with target times, using clinical evidence to guide treatment decisions and enhance patient access and outcomes.

For the above chart, we display total wait times for Priority 3 patients because data for priority levels 2 and 4 is generally incomplete.

For surgery wait times, two wait periods are assessed:

  • Time to the patient’s first surgical or specialist appointment: This measures the duration from the moment a surgeon, specialist, or central intake office receives the referral from the patient’s family doctor to the patient’s initial surgical or specialist appointment.
  • Time from the decision for the surgery or procedure to its actual completion: This tracks the time from when the patient and surgeon jointly decide to proceed with the surgery to the surgery’s actual execution.

Data also excludes patients who did not proceed with the surgery or procedure after their initial consultation with a specialist.

Learn wait times for other medical procedures in Ontario:

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