In a significant move towards an efficient healthcare regime, the Ontario government has decided to reduce the age requirement for routine, publicly-funded breast cancer screenings from 50 to 40 years. This monumental decision has been championed by Health Minister Sylvia Jones, with the hope of boosting early cancer detection. An official announcement is expected to be released later today.
Jones sees this as an opportunity to potentially increase the annual number of mammograms in the province by 130,000.
The decision was influenced by a previous draft recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The recommendation urged for the required age of screenings in America to be lowered to 40 from 50, citing that this could significantly reduce fatalities.
By autumn of 2024, eligible citizens, including women, non-binary, trans and two-spirit people aged between 40 and 74, will have the option to self-refer for a mammogram every two years.
Currently, individuals between the ages of 30 and 69 who are deemed at high risk – such as those with a family history of breast cancer or carrying genes related to an elevated risk of the disease – are already entitled to regular mammograms and breast MRIs.
In the run-up to 2024, the government will begin to hire new staff for sites offering breast cancer screening while also aiming to develop a public reporting system. This will enable patients to access information regarding wait times across the province.
“Approximately 12,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, and we have recognised that early detection coupled with increased access to care saves lives,” Jones commented in a recent statement. “Our government’s decision to enlarge the Ontario Breast Screening Program aims to ensure an additional million women have the necessary and timely access to treatment. Not only will this provide a vital healthcare service, but ultimately, it will save lives.”
Sherry Wilcox, a breast cancer survivor diagnosed in her 40s, welcomed the change enthusiastically: “I am incredibly thankful that with this decision, many women may be spared from the agony of a late diagnosis, similar to my experience. Research proves that early detection lessens aggressive therapies and curbs mortality rates. Undoubtedly, this decision will save lives.”
A spokesperson for Minister Jones confirmed that Ontario Health is in the preliminary stages of determining the number of staff required to be hired for realization of the plans but refused to comment on the budget allotment for the program at this time.
