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Who Should Screen?

Two Medical radiation technologists (MRTs) stand with mammography equipment


Screening mammograms are available to most women, and many Two-Spirit, trans and gender-diverse individuals, 40 years and older with no symptoms.  

 
It is recommended that you get a mammogram every year.

Those with a family history of breast cancer are almost two times more likely to develop breast cancer. Use the clinic locator to find your closest screening location and book your appointment. 


 
You are encouraged to talk to your health care provider about the benefits and limitations of mammography.

If screening mammography is chosen, it is available every two years. Use the clinic locator to find your closest screening location and book your appointment. 

 
It is recommended that you get a mammogram every two years.

In this age group, the benefits of screening mammograms clearly outweigh the limitations. Use the clinic locator to find your closest screening location and book your appointment. 

 
You are encouraged to talk to your health care provider about the benefits and limitations of mammography.

If screening mammography is chosen, it is available every two to three years. Use the clinic locator to find your closest screening location and book your appointment. 

 
Screening mammograms are recommended every year if you are between 30-74 and at least one of the following applies to you:

  • You have a very strong family history1 of breast cancer
  • You are a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 carrier or other pathogenic gene variant carrier2
  • You are an untested family member of a BRCA1 or BRCA 2 carrier or other pathogenic gene variant carrier2
Please speak with your health care provider or the Hereditary Cancer Program (HCP) for more information and referral.

Screening mammograms are also recommended every year if you are between 25-74 and have had prior thoracic radiation at 10-30 years of age3. Please speak with your health care provider or the Late Effects, Assessment & Follow-Up Program for more information and referral. 

12 cases of breast cancer in close female relatives (mother, sister, daughter, aunt, grandmother, or great-aunt) on the same side of the family, both diagnosed before age 50.
2Gene variants include ATM, CDH1, CHEK2, NBN, NF1, PALB2, PTEN, STK11, TP53, or others as identified by HCP.
3Typically refers to chest wall radiation therapy for pediatric and adolescent cancers.

You should screen if you are a Two-Spirit, transgender or gender-diverse individual who:

  • Has not had chest construction or chest reduction surgery
  • Has had a history of simple reduction mammoplasty
  • Has breast (chest) tissue after taking hormones (estrogen) for 5+ years 

You are not eligible for a screening mammogram if you:

  • Have breast implants (see your health care provider to arrange a mammogram).
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding (you can use the Breast Screening program three months after completely finishing breastfeeding; see your health care provider immediately if you experience any new problems).
  • Have a previous history of breast cancer.
  • Have any new breast complaints such as a lump or nipple discharge (see your health care provider immediately if you experience any new problems).
  • Have had a mammogram on both breasts in the last 12 months (you must wait at least one year before having another screening mammogram).

Your questions

 

You haven't had chest reduction or chest construction surgery, or, you have a history of simple reduction mammoplasty:


  • You should get screened according to the guidelines above.

You have had most, but not all, breast tissue removed:


  • Screening mammography is not recommended. Please discuss screening options with your health care provider.

You have chest (breast) tissue as a result of gender-affirming hormone therapy (estrogen use):


  • If you’ve been taking estrogen for more than 5 years, age 40-74, and you have a first-degree relative (parent, child, sibling) with breast cancer, it is recommended that you get a mammogram every year.
  • If you’ve been taking estrogen for more than 5 years, age 40-49, and you don’t have a family history of breast cancer, you are encouraged to talk to your health care provider about the benefits and limitations of mammography. If screening mammography is chosen, it is available every two years.
  • If you’ve been taking estrogen for more than 5 years, age 50-74, and you don’t have a family history of breast cancer, screening mammography is recommended every two years.
  • If you’ve been taking estrogen for more than 5 years, age 75 and older, and you don’t have a family history of breast cancer, you are encouraged to talk to your health care provider about the benefits and limitations of mammography. If screening mammography is chosen, it is available every two to three years.
  • Talk to your health care provider if you are taking progestin and your body mass index is greater than 35.
 

 
BC Cancer Breast Screening recommends additional breast cancer screening for people who have had mantle radiation treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. Evidence shows that this group have a significantly increased risk of breast cancer compared to others of the same age. This increased risk begins about 10 years after treatment and increases over time. 

Recent research recommends that the best screening for people who had mantle radiation for Hodgkin Lymphoma is an annual digital mammogram and a breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Because of that, the BC Cancer Breast Screening recommends following this screening routine:

  • A breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam every year starting at age 30 or 10 years after radiation treatment until the age of 65.
  • A screening mammogram (breast x‐ray) every year starting at age 30 or 10 years after radiation treatment until the age of 74.
For more information please see this Patient Fact Sheet.
 

 
You can receive a mammogram if you have breast implants. The difference is that you cannot participate in the BC Cancer Breast Screening program but instead will have a diagnostic mammogram, which requires a referral. A diagnostic mammogram allows for the extra time and techniques needed to ensure that the entire breast tissue is visible. Please speak to your health care provider for more information.
 

 
If you notice any new changes in your breast such as a lump or nipple discharge, see your health care provider immediately. Your health care provider will help you determine if further testing is required.

If your health care provider decides that you need testing, you will be booked for an appointment at a diagnostic imaging office and you will be seen very quickly. This process is different than regular breast screening, which is done with women who have no breast concerns or symptoms.

 

A reminder is sent in the mail when it's time to return. When you receive your reminder, be sure to book your next appointment. Also, make sure we have the most up-to-date address information for you. To update your contact information, call us at 1-800-663-9203.

 
Thermography isn't recommended for a population-based screening program such as BC Cancer Breast Screening because there is no evidence to support using thermography as a screening tool for breast cancer. Thermal imaging equipment is not approved for breast screening by Health Canada. For more information, see Health Canada’s safety notice about Thermography. 

Thermography has a high false-positive rate which could lead to unnecessary tests. It can also miss abnormalities that can be found through a screening mammogram. For these reasons, BC Cancer recommends against thermography as a replacement for screening mammography – a position shared by many prominent health organizations across North America.

Read this recent statement on thermography from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warning against the use of thermography to detect, diagnose, or screen for breast cancer.

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