Official statement from a major Canadian medical association

Canadian Task Force Maintains Breast Cancer Screening Age at 50 Despite Expert Pushback, Prompting Review

May 30, 2024, 05:00 PM

The Canadian national task force has decided not to lower the age for routine breast cancer screening to 40, maintaining the current guideline of starting at age 50. This decision comes despite significant pushback from medical experts who have labeled the existing guidelines as 'dangerous.' New Canadian screening guidelines suggest that while people should be able to get a mammogram starting at age 40, it should not be routinely offered to women under 50 who are of average risk. The task force's stance has prompted a review and criticism from various quarters, including a statement of disappointment from Holland, who spoke to reporters on Parliament Hill.