# The Canadian Breast Cancer Symposium 2025: Meeting Report

## TL;DR

The 2025 Canadian Breast Cancer Symposium highlighted advances in personalized breast cancer care, including new therapies and patient-centered approaches to improve outcomes.

## Contribution

The symposium synthesized recent clinical and research advancements and identified priorities for future breast cancer care and research.

## Key findings

- New systemic therapies like CDK4/6 inhibitors and antibody–drug conjugates are expanding treatment options for breast cancer.
- Radiation therapy strategies are evolving to reduce treatment intensity while maintaining efficacy.
- Patient advocacy emphasized the need for equitable and timely care to address ongoing diagnostic and survivorship gaps.

## Abstract

This report summarizes key insights from the 2025 Canadian Breast Cancer Symposium, where patients, clinicians, and researchers came together to share the latest advances in breast cancer care. Participants highlighted the growing importance of personalizing treatment—from improving early detection and imaging to refining surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapies for different breast cancer subtypes. Patient stories emphasized ongoing gaps in diagnosis and the need for more equitable, timely, and compassionate care. Experts also reviewed emerging tools such as circulating tumour DNA, new targeted therapies, and innovative imaging technologies that may transform how breast cancer is monitored and treated in the future. Discussions about global health, survivorship, and advocacy underscored that scientific progress must be paired with patient-centred approaches. Overall, the symposium outlined current challenges, showcased practice-changing research, and identified priorities that could shape future studies, inform policy, and improve real-world outcomes for people with breast cancer.

The 2025 Canadian Breast Cancer Symposium (CBCS) brought together patients, clinicians and researchers from across Canada to discuss advances shaping personalized breast cancer care. Key updates in systemic therapy highlighted expanding treatment options, including CDK4/6 inhibitors, oral SERDs, PI3K/AKT-targeted therapies, and antibody–drug conjugates across early and metastatic settings. Radiation oncology sessions emphasized treatment de-escalation, featuring evidence for ultra-hypofractionation, selective omission of nodal irradiation, and stereotactic strategies to manage oligoprogression. Surgical presentations focused on reducing morbidity through tailored axillary management and emerging techniques to prevent lymphedema. Advances in the management of central nervous system metastases underscored the growing synergy between stereotactic radiotherapy and CNS-active systemic therapies. Informed by patient testimony and advocacy perspectives, experts reflected on persistent gaps in diagnosis, access, and survivorship that shape priorities for future improvements. Together, these insights outline key directions that help to refine clinical practice and guide future research.