Alberta Health Services sign, file photo. (Image: Everything GP)

By David Opinko

Recommended breast cancer screening age lowered to 45 in Alberta

Oct 19, 2022 | 9:46 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Women in Alberta are now being advised to get an early start on regular breast cancer screening.

The Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) Committee has updated its guidelines.

One of the key revisions was a recommendation that women who are at an average risk of breast cancer begin screening for it every two years starting at age 45, rather than 50.

Committee Co-Chair Dr. Huiming Yang says more evidence has become available that shows net benefits to screening for breast cancer at an earlier age.

“That is why the breast cancer screening guidelines now recommend including average-risk women aged 45 to 49 into biennial screening. We hope this will help to diagnose breast cancer earlier and, in turn, help save lives,” says Yang.

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Based on current screening rates, Alberta Health Services (AHS) says approximately 12,000 more screening mammograms could be performed each year for women between the ages of 45 and 49.

Health Minister Jason Copping adds that 240 women in that age group were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018.

“Early detection and treatment give people with cancer the best chance to survive this disease. Alberta is leading the country by making breast cancer screening available to more women, at a younger age, saving lives in the process,” says Copping.

To book a breast cancer screening appointment, and to learn more about the updated guidelines, go to ScreeningForLife.ca

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