Breast cancer screening in Canada: 2021/2022
Breast cancer screening guidelines
Starting at age 50 and ending at age 74 or 75, asymptomatic individuals at average risk are recommended to participate in mammogram screening every two years by most provinces and territories.
Some jurisdictions accept individuals outside of these guidelines if an individual chooses to be screened, has been identified as high risk, or has a physician recommendation.
The Canadian Task Force for Preventive Health Care recommends screening participants aged 50-74 with mammography every 2-3 years.
Provincial and territorial screening guidelines
| P/T | Start age | Interval | Stop age | Exclusion criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YT | 50 (40 with radiologist recommendation) |
2 years | 74 | · Personal history of breast cancer · Breast symptoms · Mammogram of both breast in the last 12 months · Age <40 years · Pregnant or pregnant in the last 4 months · Breastfeeding or breastfeeding in the last 4 months · Breast implants |
| NT | 50 (40 with referral from PCP) |
1-2 years | 74 (participants age 75+ have the option to continue, encouraged to speak to their PCP to see if screening is right for them) |
|
| NU | No organized screening program available | |||
| BC | 50 (40-49 accepted by self-referral but not actively recruited) |
2 years | 74 (75+ accepted by self-referral, but not actively recruited) |
· Personal history of breast cancer · Breast symptoms · Breast implants |
| AB | 50 (40-49 with PCP referral for first screen) |
2 years | 74 (75+ with PCP referral to continue screening) |
· Known diagnosis or history of breast cancer · Bilateral mastectomies · Signs and symptoms which could be associated with breast cancers |
| SK | 50 (49 accepted to mobile unit if turning 50 in the same calendar year) |
2 years | 75+ | · Breast cancer in the last 5 years · Signs and symptoms of breast cancer · Breast implants |
| MB | 50 | 2 years | 74 (75+ have the option to continue) |
· Previous breast cancer diagnosis · Symptomatic · Breast implants |
| ON | 50 | 2 years | 74 (75+ with referral from PCP) |
· Personal history of breast cancer · Mastectomy · Breast cancer symptoms · Screening mammogram within the last 11 months · Breast implants |
| QC | 50 | 2 years | 69 | · Personal history of breast cancer · Screening mammogram within the last 11 months |
| NB | 50 (40 with referral from PCP) |
2 years | 74 (75+ with referral from PCP) |
· Personal history of breast cancer · Symptomatic for breast cancer · Breast Implants |
| NS | 50 (age 40-49 accepted by self-referral but not actively recruited) |
2 years | 74 (75+ accepted by self-referral, but not actively recruited) |
· Personal history of breast cancer · Breast symptoms · Breast implants |
| PE | 50 (available for age 40-49) |
2 years | 74 | · Personal history of breast cancer · Breast symptoms · Screening mammogram within the last 11 months · Breast implants |
| NL | 50 | 2 years | 74 (age 74+ only if previously enrolled in the program) |
· Personal history of breast cancer · Breast symptoms · Breast implants |