Breast screening in Canada, 2023-24
Guidelines
Guidelines for breast screening are determined by each province and territory, based on a wide range of factors, including local considerations. A number of provinces and territories’ current guidelines recommend screening to begin at age 50 and end at age 74 for asymptomatic individuals at average risk. Some jurisdictions are lowering their routine start age to begin breast screening at age 40 or 45. Additionally, some jurisdictions provide screening for asymptomatic individuals ages 40-49 who are at average risk by self-referral, physician referral and/or by active recruitment. Most guidelines recommend mammography screening every two years for eligible people, with variation across jurisdictions. 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.
Provincial and territorial screening guidelines
| P/T | Age eligibility | Routine screening interval | Exclusion criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| YT | 50–74 (also available for 40–49 by self-referral; 75+ have option to continue by self-referral but no longer recalled) | Two years |
|
| NT | 50–74 (40 with referral from PCP; 75+ have option to continue and are encouraged to speak to their PCP to see if screening is right for them) | One to two years | |
| NU | Opportunistic screening only | ||
| BC | 50–74 (40–49 accepted by self-referral but not actively recruited; 75+ accepted by self-referral, but not actively recruited) For transgender or gender-diverse clients, see BC’s guidance document (bccancer.bc.ca) |
Two years |
|
| AB | 45 (40–44 with PCP referral) to 74 (75+ with PCP referral to continue screening) | Two years |
|
| SK | 50–75+ (49 accepted to mobile unit; 75+ accepted by self-referral, but not actively recruited) | Two years |
|
| MB | 50–74 (75+ have the option to continue) | Two years |
|
| ON | 50–74 (75+ with referral from PCP)* | Two years |
|
| QC | 50–69 | Two years |
|
| NB | 50–74 (40 with referral from PCP; 75+ with referral from PCP) | Two years |
|
| NS~ | 50–74 (40–49 accepted by self-referral but not actively recruited; 75+ accepted by self-referral, but not actively recruited) | Two years |
|
| PE | 50–74 (available for age 40–49) | Two years |
|
| NL | 50–74 (74+ only if previously enrolled in the program) | Two years |
|
*ON: Starting in fall 2024, the Ontario Breast Screening Program will be expanded to include people ages 40 to 49. Until the expansion goes live, people ages 40-49 are able to access breast cancer screening outside of the OBSP with a referral from a healthcare provider.
^ON: As of October 16, 2023, people with breast implants are able to be screened in the Ontario Breast Screening Program.
~NS: Transgender, gender-diverse, and non-binary people were added into the eligibility criteria to create an inclusive breast screening clinical practice guidelines. Annual screening is now recommended for individuals with extremely dense breasts (Category D). For individuals on hormone replacement therapy, annual screening is no longer recommended.