Breast screening: age and self-referral by province

People can book a screening mammogram without a referral from age 40 in Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador and Yukon, but from 45 in several other provinces and territories, according to the official programs listed below. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the details are worth checking before you call. Each program’s own page is linked in its section: Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and others.

A screening mammogram is for people with no breast symptoms and no personal history of breast cancer. Anyone who notices a lump, a change in the skin or nipple discharge needs to see a health-care provider rather than book a routine screen. Most programs also set separate, more frequent schedules for people at higher risk because of family history or a known gene change, so those readers should ask their provider.

British Columbia

People 40 and older can self-refer, and the listing says there is no cost. They must name a primary care provider when booking. For ages 50 to 74, routine screening is every two years. For ages 40 to 49 without a family history, screening is available every two years if chosen after a talk with a provider. Those with a first-degree relative with breast cancer are advised to screen every year. Book by phone or online through BC Cancer, using the code on your reminder letter, or call 1-800-663-9203.

Alberta

Women 45 to 74 can self-refer to a clinic of their choice. Women 40 to 44 can self-refer after a one-time referral from a health-care provider, according to Screening for Life. The page lists 1-866-727-3926 for more information and links to a clinic finder and mobile clinics.

Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency says no referral is needed to book a screening mammogram. People 45 to 49 can self-refer, people 50 to 74 get an invitation letter, and people 75 and older can self-refer but no longer get reminder letters. The agency has been lowering the age in stages, so call 1-855-584-8228 (weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to ask whether your age group now qualifies.

Manitoba

BreastCheck screens people 45 and over every two years, and a doctor’s referral is not needed. The program says screening mammograms for ages 40 to 44 will be an option at the end of 2026. Call 1-855-952-4325 to book and bring your Manitoba Health Card. Clinics are in Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson and Morden/Winkler, plus mobile clinics.

Ontario

Screening through the Ontario Breast Screening Program is available from age 40, and people can self-refer without a doctor or nurse practitioner. The province recommends a conversation with a doctor, nurse practitioner or Health811 first for ages 40 to 49. For ages 50 to 74 the recommendation is a mammogram every two years. People over 74 need a referral. OHIP covers screening at OBSP locations. Call 1-800-668-9304 or use the province’s wait times and location tool, as described on the Ontario government page.

Quebec

The Quebec Breast Cancer Screening Program invites women 50 to 74 covered by the public health insurance plan to a mammogram every two years. Mammograms at designated screening centres are free. The province’s page does not say whether people in their 40s can book without a prescription, so those readers should ask their doctor or a screening centre.

New Brunswick

Screening is for people 40 to 74 with no symptoms or prior breast cancer, according to the provincial government. They can self-refer by contacting a screening site. With normal results, the advice is a mammogram every one to two years at ages 40 to 49 and every two to three years at ages 50 to 74. People over 74 need a referral. The cancer screening information line is 1-844-777-3443.

Nova Scotia

The Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program allows self-referral. Its website has a short eligibility questionnaire, so use it to confirm whether your age qualifies. To book, call 1-800-565-0548, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Prince Edward Island

People 40 to 74 can self-refer through the PEI Breast Screening Program. Screening is every two years for ages 50 to 74 and available every year for ages 40 to 49. Book online through Skip the Waiting Room or call 1-888-592-9888. The program operates at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Prince County Hospital.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Women 40 to 74 can book without a referral through the provincial breast screening program, and screening is free. Bring your MCP card. Women with normal results are asked to return in one or two years. Call 709-777-5070 (Eastern), 709-256-5597 (Central), 709-634-8558 (Western) or 1-800-414-3443 (Labrador-Grenfell).

Yukon

Whitehorse General Hospital says people over 40 with no specific breast concerns can self-refer by completing a form and returning it to medical imaging. The hospital’s mammography page lists 867-393-8738 for appointments, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Northwest Territories

Average-risk women 45 to 74 are screened every two years, according to the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. Residents can self-refer by calling 1-866-313-7989, option 7, then option 1 (Yellowknife), 2 (Inuvik) or 3 (Hay River), or by emailing [email protected]. Medical Travel covers travel costs if your community has no mammography unit.

Nunavut

The Canadian Cancer Society’s directory of programs says Nunavut does not have an organized breast screening program right now. Residents should ask their local health centre about mammogram access. Residents of the Kitikmeot region who use the Northwest Territories program need a referral from their primary care provider.

Program rules change as provinces move their starting ages, so confirm the current age with the program before you book.

This article is based on official guidance from the provincial and territorial breast screening programs listed above and is provided for general public information. It’s not a substitute for medical advice, if you have questions about how this applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

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Sources: Ontario, Screening for Life (Alberta), BC Cancer, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, BreastCheck Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, NWT, Canadian Cancer Society directory.