Deepshikha was sent for a biopsy and received a call right away—the results didn’t look good. She and her husband went to Brampton Civic Hospital to meet with Dr. Priya Chopra, General Surgeon at William Osler Health System, and it was there that she learned she had breast cancer.

“Dr. Chopra said it was cancer and my husband and I just looked at each other. How could this have happened? I’m only 35 years old. What is going to happen to my children? I had so many questions running through my mind but when I finally spoke, I asked, ‘How much time do I have left?’”

While Deepshikha was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, Dr. Chopra assured her that her treatment plan—surgery, chemotherapy, genetic testing—would provide the best outcome.

“Patients often tell me that having a positive and supportive medical team helps them face even the most frightening challenges during their treatment,” said Dr. Chopra. “What helps us is knowing that we have access to the finest tools and equipment needed to care for our patients so we can help them achieve the best possible outcome.”

Osler’s Ontario Breast Screening Program is the top performer in the province and our Diagnostic Assessment Programs (DAPs), help move those with suspected breast cancer from diagnosis to treatment quickly and with one point of contact—a breast nurse navigator—to support the patient through the process. For breast cancer patients, the average time from referral to consultation with a surgeon is 2.5 weeks compared to the regional average of 4 weeks.

While Deepshikha’s diagnosis came during the height of the pandemic, investments in additional skilled nursing and clerical staff have been instrumental in enhancing Osler’s program to meet the demands of the community. That support has also been key to continuing cancer-related surgeries during the pandemic through the use of an ethical framework.

As one of Canada’s busiest community hospitals, Osler serves more than 1.3 million residents across five sites in one of Ontario’s fastest-growing and most culturally diverse regions. Over the next 20 years, the number of cancer cases in the region is expected to double. Dr. Chopra notes the importance of regular cancer screening, with PAP tests (over the age of 25), mammograms, and colon cancer screening (over the age of 50). Performed through your primary care provider, screening can save many lives each year.

The rapid population growth is one of the many reasons Osler has built up its cancer care services in recent years, including innovative immunotherapy, advanced surgical techniques, and access to global clinical trials for new anticancer treatments. Osler is also proud to be the first community hospital in the world to offer genetic testing through rapid comprehensive next generation sequencing which can provide important information on how to treat one’s cancer in days instead of weeks. Community support will continue to be required as the range of cancer treatments evolves.

While Deepshikha’s cancer journey isn’t yet finished, she finds strength in knowing she is receiving exceptional care close to home.

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