Study argues for lowering age of breast cancer screening in Canada

The study found women living in communities with early breast cancer screenings before the age of 50 have a lower risk of death. The data show cancer rates were higher for women aged 50 to 59 in provinces and territories where early screenings aren’t available. When screening took place earlier, the chance of surviving breast cancer 10 years after a diagnosis was 84.8%. For provinces and territories where early detection wasn’t available, a woman's survival rate after 10 years was 82.9%. Breast cancer is among the leading causes of death for women in their 40s and 50s in Canada. The N.W.T., B.C., Alta., N.S. and P.E.I. have early mammogram screenings, whereas Yukon, Man., Sask., Ont. Que. N.B., and N.L. don't.