[2024-10-09] Ontario lowers age for self-referral for mammograms to 40
Yesterday, the Ontario government announced that women 40 and older can now self-refer to receive a publicly funded mammogram through the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP). The previous minimum age for self-referral was 50. Self-referral means that individuals do not need a referral from a doctor or primary healthcare provider.
In its news release, the Ontario government noted that "Research has shown regular screening with mammography can help detect breast cancer before it has the chance to spread." It adds: "By lowering the age of self-referral from 50 to 40, more women can now easily self-refer for mammograms through any OBSP site or by calling 1-800-668-9304 without needing a referral from a primary care provider."
Early detection increases the likelihood of survival. The news release points out that "many people survive breast cancer, with a 100 per cent, five-year relative survival rate for those diagnosed at stage 1. However, the survival rate drops to less than 30 per cent for those diagnosed at stage 4."
Cancer Care Ontario—which administers the OBSP—provides distinct guidance for:
- People between 40 and 49 (Breast Cancer Screening for People Ages 40 to 49: What You Need to Know)
- People between 30 and 69 who are at high risk of developing breast cancer (Breast Cancer Screening for People at High Risk)
- People between 50 and 74 who are at average risk of developing breast cancer (Screening for Breast Cancer)
Cancer Care Ontario encourages people between 40 and 49 to talk with their family doctor, a nurse practitioner or a Health811 navigator about their personal risk of breast cancer as well as the potential benefits and harms of breast cancer screening in order to make an informed decision.
People who wish to get a mammogram can find information on screening locations, accessibility, hours of operation, wait times and contact details on the Ontario Health – Wait Times website by clicking on the icon for the Breast Screening (Mammogram) Wait Times. Inserting "Ottawa" in the "Choose a Location" field identified numerous screening locations, many of which identified wait times of 0-2 weeks.
The Canadian Cancer Society provides information on how to find a breast cancer screening program in each of the provinces and territories.
