Doctors, patients say Canada should follow U.S. call to screen for breast cancer at 40

The U.S. recommendation calls for screening mammograms every two years for women between the ages of 40 and 74. Previously, screening for average-risk patients was recommended beginning at age 50. In Canada, regular screening mammography is only recommended for patients between the ages of 50 and 74. Screening guidelines vary across the country. Alta. recently shifted to include women as young as 45 and, in some other provinces, women in their 40s are accepted if they're referred by a doctor or even through self-referral.