PCs Introduce Bill to Legislate Lowering of Breast Cancer Screening Age
WINNIPEG — Today, Roblin MLA Kathleen Cook, Progressive Conservative Critic for Health, introduced The Earlier Screening for Breast Cancer Act in the Manitoba Legislature. This critical legislation aims to lower the initial eligibility age for routine breast cancer screening services from 50 to 40 years, addressing a significant gap in healthcare for women in our province.
“The NDP’s vague promise to eventually lower the age to 40 is simply not good enough,” said Cook. “We need concrete action and a solid, transparent plan to ensure that all women in Manitoba have access to lifesaving early detection.”
The Earlier Screening for Breast Cancer Act sets a hard deadline of December 31, 2026, for lowering the screening age to 40. This legislation also mandates that the Minister of Health report annually on the implementation and impact of this initiative to the Legislative Assembly.
“This legislation provides a clear pathway to improving women’s healthcare and holds the government accountable for its commitments,” Cook added. “The NDP have no good reason not to support this legislation and implement this layer of transparency for Manitoba women.”
Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada among women aged 40 to 55. Furthermore, women who have mammograms in their 40s are 44% less likely to die from breast cancer than those who do not undergo screenings.
“The time to lower the age for breast screening in Manitoba is now. We cannot afford to wait any longer, knowing that early detection saves lives,” said Jennifer Borgfjord, advocate for Dense Breasts Canada. “Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and New Brunswick rolled out screening at 40 successfully—and did so without overwhelming their systems. Ontario begins on October 8th. We must follow their lead to ensure timely and effective implementation in Manitoba.”
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For media inquiries, please contact PCCaucus_Media@leg.gov.mb.ca