Stage 0
- Up to 40%
- of cancers are preventable
- 50%
- of cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage
- 70%
- of cancer deaths are caused by cancers with no established screening methods
Detecting Cancer at its Most Treatable Stage
Despite many remarkable advances in treatment, too many cancers are still discovered too late. After the disease has spread, treatment options become more complex, invasive, and less effective.
At The Princess Margaret, Stage 0 represents a bold shift in how we confront cancer: identifying risk before disease develops, detecting cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage, and intervening before it has the chance to take hold or return.
Stage 0: Signature Initiatives
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Our Genes (Helix) Program
Canada’s first population-based genetic screening program uses a simple blood test to identify inherited risks for cancer and other diseases before symptoms appear. By screening more than 100,000 people and creating a powerful genomic resource for research, OurGenes will advance early detection, help make genetic screening a routine part of healthcare, and save more lives through prevention and earlier intervention.
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Peter Gilgan Centre for Early Cancer Detection Research
The Peter Gilgan Centre for Early Cancer Detection Research is the largest research program of its kind globally and will focus on three major areas:
- Understanding how cancer begins by uncovering the earliest biological signs of the disease.
- Developing cutting-edge technologies to detect cancer sooner and measure risk in newly diagnosed or high-risk individuals.
- Translating discoveries into clinical practice, including building the world’s most ambitious Molecular Residual Disease program to spot the earliest signs of cancer returning after treatment.
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Cancer Prevention & Interception
The Princess Margaret Cancer Prevention and Interception Clinic will bring together prevention, early detection, research, and personalized care to identify people at increased risk of cancer and intervene before disease develops or progresses. By combining lifestyle support, advanced screening, genetics, biomarkers, and precision medicine, the clinic will help prevent cancer, detect it earlier, and provide tailored strategies to reduce risk and improve long-term health outcomes.
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High-Risk Pathways & National Testing Hub
The National Reference Hub for Precision Cancer Testing will expand access to advanced cancer testing across Canada, ensuring more patients benefit from world-class expertise and personalized care regardless of where they live. By leveraging innovative technologies such as minimal residual disease testing and metagenomic profiling, the Hub will enable earlier detection of relapse risk, more precise treatment decisions, and better outcomes for patients nationwide.
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The Origins of Cancer
We are working toward a future where cancer can be stopped before it truly occurs. By reconstructing how cancer forms and then “editing out” the defects, we are learning to reverse engineer the disease at its earliest stages. With new tools that analyze cancer at the level of a single cell, we can now explore its origins and ecosystem with unprecedented clarity, opening the door to breakthroughs in prevention, early detection, and minimal residual disease–guided treatment strategies.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Read the personal stories of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre patients and the donors who are helping to ignite tomorrow's cancer breakthroughs.
Helping Families Like the Lockes Stay One Step Ahead of Cancer
Advancements in early detection are saving the lives of people with an inherited risk of cancer.
Peter Gilgan’s $50 Million Donation is Fuelling Early Cancer Detection
The Peter Gilgan Foundation's generous donation has established the world’s largest program for detecting and intercepting the recurrence of cancer in patients.
Explore More Areas of Impact
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Beyond Chemotherapy
Delivering the right therapy, at the right time, with fewer side effects.
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Boundless Cancer Care
Providing holistic mental health, caregiver, and survivorship support.
Join us in creating a world free from the fear of cancer.
Looking to get involved with The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation? We’d love to hear from you.