Alberta Health Services has announced that Alberta is the first province in Canada to lower the recommended age for biennial screening for best cancer for average-risk women from 50 years old to 45.

The updated guidelines were created by the Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) Committee and are the result of an extensive review of new available evidence.

“More evidence has become available to show net benefits of breast cancer screening at a younger age,” said committee co-chair Dr. Huiming Yang. “That is why the breast cancer screening guidelines now recommend including average-risk women aged 45 to 49 in biennial screening. We hope this will help to diagnose breast cancer earlier and, in turn, help save lives.”

Based on current screening rates, approximately 12,000 more screening mammograms could be performed each year for women aged 45 to 49. According to the most recent statistics, more than 240 Alberta women between the ages of 45 and 49 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,” said Health Minister Jason Copping.

Alberta women ages 45 to 74 are advised to have a screening mammogram every two years or as decided in conjunction with a healthcare provider. Screening is the best way to find breast cancer early before symptoms appear and when treatment may work better.

“Healthcare providers are encouraged to recommend biennial screening mammograms for women who are at average risk beginning at age 45,” said committee co-chair Dr. Lisa Stevenson. “By being more proactive in our screening efforts, we can make a real difference in the lives of Albertans.

The CPG Committee is comprised of 12 voting members, including family and public health physicians, radiologists, and a patient, surgeon, medical oncologist, radiological technician and nurse.

The updated guidelines are available on screeningforlife.ca.

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