Breast cancer screening is a test that looks for earlier signs of breast cancer, usually by mammography. Screening is an important part of preventive health care and is an active step you can take for your breast health.
When you start screening and how you are screened will be informed by your age and risk factors.
Screening for women at average risk
The majority of Canadian women (approximately 80 per cent) are at average risk of developing breast cancer.
All of Canada’s provincial and territorial organized breast screening programs encourage well women at average risk of breast cancer ages 50–69 to have regular screening mammograms. Half of Canada’s organized breast cancer screening programs also invite women to screen from the age of 40, with some programs requiring a health care provider’s referral for the first appointment. If you are ages 40–49 or over 69, contact your health care provider or your organized breast screening program about the eligibility guidelines in your province or territory.
Despite differences in screening policy and practices across Canada, screening research shows that women aged 40–49 at average risk of breast cancer can benefit from having an annual screening mammogram – and the benefits of screening increase with age.
Make an informed decision about what is right for you. If you are in your forties, nearing them, or 50+ and not currently being screened for breast cancer, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation encourages you to learn about your breast health, breast cancer risk, ways to reduce your risk, and the benefits and limitations of breast cancer screening. To inform your decisions, we also encourage you to consider speaking with a health care provider.
Wherever it is available, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation encourages women to be screened with digital mammography. This newer technology is gradually replacing screen-film mammography in Canada. This is because it is better at detecting breast cancer in women in their 40s, women 50+ who have not gone through menopause, and women with clinically diagnosed dense breasts.
We encourage you to ask to be referred to a screening facility with digital mammography, if you are a woman in your 40s, 50+ and have not gone through menopause, or have been diagnosed with dense breasts.
Screening for women at high risk
A small number of Canadian women, approximately 1-2 per cent, are at high risk of developing breast cancer. Screening research shows health benefits when women at high risk of breast cancer have an annual MRI and digital mammogram by the age of 30, but not before 25.
Make an informed decision about what is right for you. If you think you may be at high risk of breast cancer, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation encourages you to speak to a health care provider about genetic counselling and genetic testing, ways to reduce your risk, and your options for breast cancer screening.
Exploring the options for women at intermediate risk
The organized breast cancer screening programs are designed for well women at average risk of breast cancer, with screening services being expanded in some places to better meet the needs of higher risk women. The screening research suggests that women at intermediate risk of breast cancer will also benefit from having enhanced screening options for the earlier detection of breast cancer.
Make an informed decision about what is right for you. If you think you may be at intermediate risk of breast cancer, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation encourages you to speak to a health care provider about your breast cancer risk, ways to reduce your risk, and your options for breast cancer screening.
Getting access to breast cancer screening
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation encourages all women who go for breast cancer screening to join their provincial or territorial organized breast screening program, if eligible. If you do not live near an organized screening program clinic, you can still ensure you get the highest quality mammogram by going to a facility that has been accredited by the Canadian Association of Radiologists’ Mammography Accreditation Program.
What can I do if I am not eligible and wish to have a mammogram?
If you are aged 40-49 but not eligible to join your organized breast screening program, you may wish to have a mammogram for your preventive health care or be advised to do so by a health care provider. You can choose to have a mammogram but may need a referral from a health care provider.
For the highest quality screening and associated health benefits, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation encourages you to ask a health care provider to refer you to a clinic that is part of your provincial or territorial organized breast cancer screening program or one that has been accredited by the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR). A list of CAR–accredited mammography clinics across Canada is available on the CAR website.
If you are ever worried about changes to the look or feel of your breasts, whatever your age, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation encourages you to see a health care provider as soon as possible to discuss your concerns.
More Information:
Benefits and limitations of mammography
Where should I go for a mammogram?
Canadian Association of Radiologists - Accredited Mammography Sites
Sources:
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. (2010). Earlier Detection and Diagnosis of Breast Cancer: A Report from It’s About Time! A Consensus Conference. Toronto, ON: Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. (2010). Earlier Detection and Diagnosis of Breast Cancer. Recommendations and Scientific Review from It’s About Time! A Consensus Conference. Toronto, ON: Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Pisano, E. et al. Diagnostic Performance of Digital versus Film Mammography for Breast-Cancer Screening. In New England Journal of Medicine, 2005, vol. 353 (pp. 1773-83). Accessed September 23, 2011.
Warner, E. Breast-Cancer Screening. In New England Journal of Medicine, 2011, vol. 365 (pp. 1025-1032). Accessed September 23, 2011. Subscription or payment is required to access the full article.