Breast cancer screening across Canada

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As of February 2021, the World Health Organization declared breast cancer the most diagnosed cancer worldwide. In Canada, 1 in 8 women will face this disease, with about 28,000 diagnoses expected this year alone.

Most provinces have lowered their screening age to 40, but Quebec lags behind, excluding women under 50 from its screening program. This leaves many young Quebec women at risk of going undiagnosed.

A recent Breast Cancer Canada survey shows overwhelming public support for earlier screening. It found 94% of Canadians believe routine screening should start at age 40, and 84% would get screened at that age if eligible.

Early detection improves survival rates and reduces the toll of breast cancer on
individuals and families. Quebec must align its guidelines with the rest of Canada to
protect its citizens.

Megan Dunscombe
Sarnia, Ontario