N.L. lowers age for breast cancer screening to 40

Newfoundland and Labrador has lowered the recommended age for breast cancer screenings from age 50 to40.

The decision, announced Tuesday by Premier Andrew Furey,was based on a recommendation last week from theCanadian Cancer Society, whichurged provinces and territories to start breast cancer screening programs at age 40.

"We took immediate action. I asked the minister to act on it immediately, given the evidence that was presented," he told reporters outside the House of Assembly on Tuesday.

The Health Department initiallysaid in a statement theshift would mean an additional 24,000 people will be eligible for the provincial breast screening program, then later amended the figure, saying 34,000 people will now be eligible.

People also won't be required to get a screening referral from a health care provider and can ask for it, which is meant to avoid creating a backlog.

WATCH | Furey says his government was quick to adopt a recommendation from theCanadian Cancer Society:

N.L. lowers age for breast cancer screening to 40 down from 50 years old

18 days ago

Duration 0:26

Newfoundland and Labrador is catching up to other provinces, including British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, that allow women to access routine mammograms in their 40s. Premier Andrew Furey says the change is based on new national guidelines from the Canadian Cancer Society.

Health Minister Tom Osborne said the shift will bring about earlier detection of breast cancer and earlier treatment.

"Lowering the recommended age for breast cancer screening to 40 will help ensure more people get the screening at an earlier age," he said in a statement.

"By establishing self-referrals for breast cancer screening, we help ensure that people who want to have screening can get the screening without placing an extra burden on primary health care providers."

The statement also said the change will give people more preventive health choicesas well as effective and less costly treatment.

The department will also work with N.L. Health Services on the policy change and the influx of additional patients.

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