New recommendations published in the U.S. in January calling for women to undergo annual breast-cancer screening at age 40 have earned the support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Network.
“Mammography is the only screening process that has been credited with decreasing the breast-cancer mortality rate, and still remains the most important test that a woman can undergo to increase her chance of survival,” said CBCN executive director Jackie Manthorne.
The recommendations were published in the January issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology by two professional organizations, the American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging.
The CBCN is a national survivor-supported breast-cancer organization.
“We believe that a focus on prevention and early detection is essential for saving the lives of Canadian women and therefore we continue to urge provincial and territorial breast-screening plans to add women 40-49 to their screening programs. We also encourage women to continue to practise breast self-examination on a regular basis,” said Cathy Ammendolea, president of CBCN’s board of directors.
In 2010, it is expected that over 22,000 women will be newly diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women and about 5,000 Canadian women die from the disease every year.
