Canadian Cancer Society calls for breast cancer screening starting at age 40

All provinces and territories should lower the age of eligibility for breast cancer screening to 40 for people at “average risk,” the Canadian Cancer Society says.

Some provinces already offer free mammograms starting at age 40, but current guidelines set by the Canadian task force recommend starting screening at age 50.

That’s what Quebec is doing—as are New Brunswick and Ontario, but those two provinces have pledged to lower the minimum age for voluntary screening to 40 this year.

Sandra Kruckle, senior vice-president of mission, information and support services at the Canadian Cancer Society, says it’s critical that women across the country have timely access to breast cancer screening, “no matter where they live.”

According to Ms. Krukle, “there is sufficiently strong evidence from clinical trials, modeling and field data to justify this 40-year transition.”

About 13 per cent of breast cancer cases in Canada occur in women aged 40 to 49, Krukle said. An earlier diagnosis often means less invasive treatment is needed and better results, she said.

The Canadian Preventive Health Working Group is developing clinical guidelines to help family physicians and nurse practitioners decide whether and when to offer screening. The Group currently recommends systematic screening starting at age 50 for people at average risk of breast cancer.

The task force is expected to revise its recommendations this spring, but in an email it said a “detailed” review of clinical trials, international best practices and other evidence was still ongoing and did not confirm which recommendations would be updated.

“The Canadian Task Force respects the Canadian Cancer Society and its important work,” it reads. We look forward to discussing draft breast cancer screening recommendations based on our comprehensive review of the evidence later this spring.”

Provinces pay

Even if the Task Force recommends starting screening at age 40, funding ultimately remains with the provinces and territories, the Canadian Cancer Society emphasizes.

It is also “extremely important” that front-line health workers talk to their patients about breast cancer screening starting at age 40, rather than waiting until they are in their 50s, Ms. Kruckle said.

“We also know that black women are more likely to be diagnosed before the age of 50 and that their disease is at a more advanced stage,” she added in an interview.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, one in eight women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, here are the age groups eligible for breast cancer screening in each province and territory:

– Screening programs in Quebec, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador begin at age 50.

– In British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and the Yukon, women can self-screen for breast cancer starting at age 40.

– In Alberta and the Northwest Territories, screening is offered starting at age 45.

– Ontario and New Brunswick have pledged to lower the minimum age for voluntary testing from 50 to 40 this year.

– Saskatchewan announced it would lower screening eligibility to age 40 in a “phased-in” approach starting in 2025.

– Nunavut does not have an organized breast cancer screening program.

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