Lowering the age of breast screenings to 40 will save lives

By Gene Pereira, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Earlier detection of breast cancer saves lives.

The proof, says the Ontario government, is in the numbers.

That is why, in early October, the province announced it was lowering the age of self-referral for mammograms to 40, allowing more women to access life-saving screening sooner.

A million more women will now have the option to connect to screening services that detect and treat breast cancer sooner.

“This expansion means more women in our province will have easier access to important breast cancer screening, which can be life-saving,” Markham-Unionville MPP Billy Pang said. “By lowering the age for self-referrals, our government is giving more women the chance to detect issues earlier and take steps toward better health.”

Approximately 700,000 screening mammograms are performed yearly through Ontario Breast Screening Program hospitals and other participating clinics.

Detected early, many people survive breast cancer with a 100 per cent five-year relative survival rate for those diagnosed at stage 1.

The numbers drop drastically if diagnosed later in stage 4. Survivor rates plummet to just 30 per cent.

Early detection is critical for any person.

“It’s important that patients are made aware that the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) has expanded to people ages 40 to 49,” said Dr. Allan Grill, Chief of Family Medicine at Markham Stouffville Hospital. “Eligible participants can now self-refer, which will make access to breast cancer screening easier given the high number of Ontarians who do not have a primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner).”

That being said, as per Ontario Health, Dr. Grill notes that those eligible are recommended to still have a conversation with their primary care provider or OBSP navigator regarding the risks and benefits of screening, as well as their values and preferences.

“To determine if screening is right for them,” he said.

“For example, for those who are 40 plus, and unattached without a primary care provider, the Eastern York Region North Durham Ontario Health Team’s (EYRND OHT) Community Health Clinic provides access to a care practitioner, if they have questions and are looking for a referral,” said Dr. Grill.

“Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ontario, with most breast cancers found in people ages 50 and over.”

The province has invested nearly $20 million to increase the ability of participating OBSP partners to connect more women to screening by adding more site hours, appointment spots, and training additional staff.

Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government has added 49 new MRI machines and approved 50 new CT machines in hospitals across the province. The government says this is in addition to the 100,000 people who will now be connected to diagnostic imaging through the province’s community surgical and diagnostic centre expansion.

“Breast cancer screening is critical to detect cancer early when it’s easier to treat,” said Andrea Seale, CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society. “It’s incredibly important that Ontario is expanding access to breast cancer screening through self-referral for people 40 plus and will undoubtedly help to reduce the risk of dying of breast cancer for more people in Ontario.

“Everyone in Canada should have equitable and timely access to breast screening, no matter where they live or who they are.”

The province estimates that 305,000 of the one million women between 40 and 49 eligible for mammograms will self-refer for screening.