Breast cancer screening for those 45 and older to begin Jan. 2

The province has officially lowered the self-referral breast-cancer screening age to 45 and will begin accepting appointments Jan. 2, 2026.

The NDP government made good on its promise to expand early detection and follow recommendations from advocates, the province said in a news release Tuesday.

In September 2024, Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced the government would lower the breast cancer screening age from 50 to 45 by the end of 2025, and eventually, lower it to 40.

CancerCare Manitoba has hired seven new mammographers to address the increased demand for screenings, the release said. Asagwara has previously said the province would need at least 13 to support the need for screenings.

Recruitment for more mammographers is underway, the release said.

For information on screening locations, visit the website. To book an appointment call 1-855-952-4325.