Ontario just lowered the age for breast cancer screenings — Here's what you need to know
Big news for Ontarians: The province just made it easier to catch breast cancer early by lowering the age for self-referred screenings from 50 to 40.
This means an extra one million people are now eligible for free mammograms through the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP), according to the Ontario Government. The change, which came into effect on Tuesday, could help save lives by catching breast cancer earlier when it's more treatable.
According to Cancer Care Ontario, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ontario women, affecting one in nine. In Ontario, this type of cancer tends to develop later in life, and 90% of cases are diagnosed over the age of 40.
"Early detection and increased access to treatment and care saves lives," Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said in a written statement on Tuesday. Now, women, Two-Spirit people, trans people and nonbinary people in the 40-49 age group can self-refer for mammograms at OBSP sites or by calling 1-800-668-9304 — there's no need for a doctor's referral.
The Ontario Government is reminding the public that regular screenings are crucial. Research shows that early detection dramatically improves survival rates, with nearly 100% of women diagnosed at stage 1 surviving at least five years, according to the government. By stage 4, however, that rate drops to less than 30%. With this age change, the government is hoping more people will be able to catch the disease before it spreads, giving them a better shot at successful treatment.
Cancer Care Ontario recommends that most people aged 40 to 74 should get a screening mammogram every two years. You don't need to have symptoms or a family history of cancer to be eligible for screening. To participate in the Ontario Breast Screening Program, you just need to be between 40 and 74, have no history of breast cancer or mastectomy, and not have had a screening mammogram in the last 11 months. Trans and non-binary people using feminizing hormones should wait until they've been taking them for at least five years in a row before their first screening.
If you're 40 or older, now's the perfect time to consider scheduling a screening. You can find a participating OBSP site on the Ontario Health website. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so it's also a good opportunity to talk to your health care provider about your personal risk and whether regular screenings are right for you.
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