Home / Health / Alberta Lowers Breast Screening Age to 40
Alberta Lowers Breast Screening Age to 40
23 Apr
Summary
- Age for self-referral breast cancer screening drops to 40.
- Fertility treatments will be covered for cancer patients.
- Millions allocated for new oncofertility program.
Starting April 1, 2027, Alberta will enable individuals aged 40 and older to book mammograms and ultrasounds for breast cancer screening without requiring a doctor's referral. This initiative is expected to make an additional 193,000 women eligible for screening annually, addressing a rise in diagnoses among women in their 40s.
In parallel, Alberta is introducing coverage for fertility treatments for cancer patients facing difficult decisions about preserving their reproductive capabilities. The province is dedicating $2.25 million to develop an "oncofertility program" offering expedited access for patients needing timely cancer treatment and wishing to preserve fertility.
This new program is anticipated to assist between 250 and 400 patients each year, removing significant financial barriers. The government has committed to reviewing and potentially expanding support for these costly treatments. Organizations like Dense Breasts Canada have urged Alberta to accelerate the screening age reduction, noting that several other provinces have already implemented similar measures.
