PCs’ Earlier Breast Cancer Screening Bill Passes Second Reading for Second Time
WINNIPEG — A year after its first go-around was killed by the NDP government, PC legislation to ensure earlier screening for breast cancer has once again passed second reading in the Legislature with unanimous support, addressing a significant gap in healthcare for Manitoba women.
Bill 203, The Earlier Screening for Breast Cancer Act, was introduced by Roblin MLA Kathleen Cook, PC Critic for Health, to lower the initial eligibility age for routine breast cancer screening services from 50 to 40 years, and to do so by a hard deadline of Dec. 31, 2026. The legislation also mandates yearly public reporting by the Minister of Health on the implementation and impact of this initiative.
“Now that this bill has passed second reading, I’m calling on Minister Uzoma Asagwara to immediately call the bill to committee so that Manitobans can voice their support for this important legislation,” said Cook. “We need to pass this bill as soon as possible so more Manitoba women can benefit from earlier detection and treatment.”
The number of cases of breast cancer in younger women has been on the rise, and according to experts, breast cancer in younger women tends to be diagnosed at later stages and is often more aggressive. Advocates and experts, including the Canadian Cancer Society and Dense Breasts Canada, have been calling on Manitoba to join nearly every other province and territory in taking action to lower the screening age.
“Manitoba women deserve the same access to breast cancer screening as other Canadians,” said Cook. “Whether your cancer is caught and treated early shouldn’t depend on where you live.”
This same legislation (then called Bill 221) was introduced by Cook last October after calls from survivors and advocates since that spring went unheard by the NDP government. The NDP continued to refuse action until they could announce the idea as their own. Bill 221 would go on to pass second reading last year—just as Bill 203 did this Thursday—only to be repeatedly blocked by Kinew’s NDP from going to committee, effectively killing the bill by the end of that session.
Progressive Conservatives are calling on the NDP to not make the same mistake this time and to follow up their vote with real action to improve access to both screening and diagnostic mammography in Manitoba.
“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the best way that the NDP could mark the occasion is to pass this bill and take action to implement it,” said Cook. “Manitoba women can’t wait any longer.”
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