The Provincial Government is lowering the age for recommended breast screening from 50 to include women between the ages of 40 and 49.
The decision is based on new national guidelines published by the Canadian Cancer Society following a review of evidence and consultation with breast cancer experts and people with lived experience.
By lowering the recommended age to 40, the Department of Health and Community Services estimates an additional 34,000 people will become eligible for the Provincial Breast Screening Program
Lowering the age will help:
- Provide more preventative health choices.
- Lead to early detection of cancerous cells and allow for timely intervention and treatment.
- Reduce mortality rates through early detection and intervention.
- Provide opportunities for less invasive treatment options when cancer is detected at an earlier stage.
- Lead to treatment that is more effective and less costly.
To ensure timely access, the department is also ensuring that breast cancer screening will be available through self-referrals. This ensures timelier access and does not create backlogs by requiring patients to have a referral from a health care provider.
The department is working with NL Health Services to ensure the proper resources are in place to accommodate the change and additional patients. More details, such as additional resources for NL Health Services and the date the change becomes effective, will be provided and more information becomes available.
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“Earlier detection of breast cancer lead to earlier intervention and treatment. Lowering the recommended age for breast cancer screening to 40 will help ensure more people get the screening at an earlier age. By establishing self-referrals for breast cancer screening, we help ensure that people who want to have screening can get the screening without placing an extra burden on primary health care providers.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services
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