From the Guidelines
Breast cancer screening guidelines in Canada and British Columbia (BC) in 2012 are not explicitly stated in the provided evidence. However, based on the available information, we can infer that the guidelines may be similar to those in the United States.
- The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that average-risk women should begin annual mammography at the age of 40 years 1.
- Between the ages of 20 and 39 years, average-risk women should undergo clinical breast examination (CBE) every 3 years, and annually after age 40 years 1.
- There is no specific upper age at which mammography screening should be discontinued, and the decision to stop regular mammography screening should be individualized based on the potential benefits and risks of screening within the context of overall health status and estimated longevity 1.
- For women at high risk, such as those with a known BRCA mutation, annual screening mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) starting at age 30 years are recommended 1. It's worth noting that the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC) recommends that women aged 50–74 schedule a mammogram every 2–3 years, but this information is from a 2023 study and may not reflect the guidelines in 2012 1.
From the Research
Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines in Canada and British Columbia (BC) in 2012
- The provided studies do not directly mention the breast cancer screening guidelines in Canada and British Columbia (BC) in 2012 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, the studies suggest that mammographic screening is a proven method for the early detection of breast cancer and can reduce breast cancer mortality in women aged 40-74 years 3, 6.
- A study from 2007 analyzed the impact of service mammographic screening on breast cancer mortality among British Columbia women and found that mammographic screening at all ages between 40 and 79 reduced subsequent mortality rates from breast cancer 3.
- Another study from 2014 reported that participation in mammography screening programs in Canada was associated with substantially reduced breast cancer mortality, with an average reduction of 40% 6.
- More recent studies from 2023 and 2024 discuss the potential benefits and resource implications of revising breast cancer screening guidelines to include average-risk women aged 40-49 years in Canada 4, 5.