On January 2, Saskatchewan lowered the age for breast cancer screenings to 43, with plans to reduce it to 40 by June, prompting advocacy for earlier detection.
On January 2, the Saskatchewan government lowered the age of eligibility for breast cancer screening to 43, down from 45. They plan to further lower the age to 40 by June. Advocates in the province appreciate this progress but wish the changes had come sooner.
The age for screening was 50 at the start of 2025, changing later in the year to 45.
Breast cancer survivor Karrie Gavin shared her experience, stating that if she had not pushed her doctor for a mammogram before age 50, she might have died. Gavin mentioned that even her physician believed only women over 50 needed to worry about breast cancer.
“Cancer almost killed me,” Gavin said after revealing her stage-three diagnosis. “It’s so important to fund and be aware that this is not an old lady disease; there are women in their 20s being diagnosed with breast cancer.”
Another survivor, Lisa Vick, did not meet the age eligibility when she found her lump. Although doctors proceeded with treatment, Vick had to wait several months for proper care. To speed things up, she traveled to Calgary for her biopsy.
“All in all, it was about a five-month wait from the time that I found my lump to the time that I actually met with a surgeon and started the process,” Vick said.
Early detection is crucial for breast cancer. The five-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent for cancer found at stage one.
Jennie Dale, founder of Dense Breasts Canada and a breast cancer survivor, stated that mammograms should start as early as age 40, as this is the best age for imaging. Younger women may have denser breasts and may need ultrasounds instead. She emphasized the importance of self-examinations for women under 40.
“Mammograms can pick up cancer two to four years before lumps can be felt,” Dale explained. “In Lisa Vick’s case, if she had a mammogram in her 40s, the cancer might have been detected at a smaller size.”
According to Know Your Lemons, a sign of breast cancer can be a hard lump that feels like a lemon seed.
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| January 2, 2026 | Age Eligibility Change | Age lowered to 43 for breast cancer screenings |
| June 2026 | Future Change | Planned further reduction to age 40 |
| 2025 | Initial Age | Age was 50 at the start of the year |
