ALT Among all U.S. women, breast cancer is the second most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death. 17% of breast cancers occur in women in their 40s. Incidence of breast cancer has been steeply increasing among women ages 40 to 49. Cancers in the 40s tend to be more aggressive.

ALT the US Task Force recommends that all women get screened for breast cancer every other year starting at age 40 to reduce their risk of dying from this disease US Preventative Services Taskforce Screenings every two years from age 40-49 would prevent 1.3 additional breast cancer related deaths per 1,000 women screened and 1.8 additional breast cancer deaths averted per 1,000 women screened for Black women

ALT In these provinces, a referral is not required and it is covered by provincial plans: In BC, NS, PEI and YT you can self-refer for a mammogram at age 40+ In ON & NB, starting in fall & early 2024, respectively, you can self-refer for a mammogram at age 40+ In AB, you can self-refer for a mammogram at age 45+ In the remainder provinces MB, NL, QC, NWT and SK while the provincial screening program begins at age 50+, you can still begin getting mammograms at age 40+ with a referral from your physician. These are covered by most provincial plans even if referral required. If you are high-risk due to gene mutations, family risk, Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, then you may need to begin screening earlier than age 40