Women 50 and over are recommended to be screened every 2 years, and do not need a referral. Women 40-49 can also be screened with a referral for their first mammogram.
Breast cancer will affect 1 out of every 8 women in Alberta. The majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer (over 80%) will be between 50-74 years old. Screening mammograms can detect a cancer 2-3 years before it can be felt, when treatment options are better. This is one of the reasons that most women are now surviving their breast cancer diagnosis, and why it’s so important for women 50 and over to have regular mammograms.
For more information on breast cancer screening, visit www.screeningforlife.ca/breastcancer.
