Screened Out: Do Canada’s breast cancer screening guidelines put 40-something women at risk? - a podcast by CBC Radio

Twenty percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are in their forties. But Canadian screening guidelines say little about what women at that age should be doing to stay on top of the “big C.” The recently updated recommendations from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health advise against women 40-49 getting mammograms, and suggest they have a conversation with their doctor to make a ‘shared decision” about screening. They also say women shouldn’t do breast self-exams. The authors of the guidelines say they are based on the best scientific evidence, and that the guidelines help to guard against the significant issue of false positives which cause needless worry and biopsies. But some experts and breast cancer survivors worry that women are getting the wrong message. Lucy Van Oldenbarneveld found a lump when she was 49. She got treatment and survived. Her sister was just 44 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. She died last year. Dr. Jean Seely, the head of Breast Imaging at The Ottawa Hospital, is critical of the guidelines. She's leading the charge to inform women about their risks, and what they can do about them. Meanwhile, BC is one of three provinces that deviates from the guidelines. Dr. Goldman visits Dr. Colin Mar at B.C. Cancer to take a look at an online decision aid the province developed to help women understand their risks and make informed choices about breast cancer screening.

Further episodes of White Coat, Black Art

Further podcasts by CBC Radio

Website of CBC Radio