40-49
| Every year
| Every two years* |
|---|
50-74
| Every year
| Every two years
|
|---|
75 and older
| Every year*
| Every two years*
|
|---|
* A health care provider can help you decide whether screening is right for you.
You can get a screening mammogram if you:
- Are 40 years or older
- Have no breast symptoms
- Are a woman or Two-Spirit, trans or non-binary person
- Meet the screening criteria below
Age 40 to 74 with a first-degree relative with breast cancer
We recommend a mammogram every year.
People with a parent, child or sibling who has had breast cancer may be up to twice as likely to develop breast cancer.
Use the clinic locator to find your nearest screening location and book an appointment.
Age 40 to 49 without a family history of breast cancer
Talk to a health care provider about the benefits and limitations of mammography.
You can also use our decision aid to help you decide what’s right for you and support conversations with your health care provider.
If you choose screening mammography, you can have a mammogram every 2 years.
Use the clinic locator to find your nearest screening location and book an appointment.
Age 50 to 74 without a family history of breast cancer
We recommend a mammogram every 2 years.
For people in this age group, the benefits of screening mammograms clearly outweigh the limitations.
Use the clinic locator to find your nearest screening location and book an appointment.
Age 75 and older
Talk to your health care provider about whether breast screening is right for you.
You can also use our
decision aid to help you make a choice and discuss your options with a health care provider.
If you choose screening mammography, the recommended screening interval depends on your level of risk. You may be screened every year or every 2 years.
Use the clinic locator to find your nearest screening location and book an appointment.
High risk for breast cancer
We recommend a screening mammogram every year if you are aged 30 to 74 and have been assessed as being at high risk for breast cancer.
You may be at high risk if one or more of the following apply:- You have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic variant, or another pathogenic variant associated with a high risk of breast cancer1
- You are an untested close family member (parent, child or sibling) of someone with a BRCA1, BRCA2 or another high risk pathogenic variant1
- The Hereditary Cancer Program has recommended annual mammograms starting at age 30
- You have a very strong family history of breast cancer2
We also recommend screening mammograms for people aged 25 to 74 who received thoracic radiation between ages 10 and 303.
1Other high-risk gene variants may include CDH1, NF1, PALB2, STK11, and others identified by the Hereditary Cancer Program.
2 Very strong family history means:
a. Two biological relatives (parent, child, full sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, great-aunt, or great-uncle) on the same side of the family were diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50; or
b. Three or more biological relatives have had breast cancer, with at least one diagnosis before age 50.
3Usually refers to chest wall radiation therapy for childhood or adolescent cancers.
You should consider breast screening if you:
- Have not had chest construction or chest reduction surgery
- Have had a simple breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty)
- Have breast (chest) tissue after taking estrogen for 5 years or more
You cannot have a screening mammogram through the Breast Screening Program if you:
- Have breast implants (talk to your health care provider about arranging a mammogram).
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding/chestfeeding. You can use the Breast Screening Program 3 months after you completely stop breastfeeding/chestfeeding. See your health care provider right away if you notice any new breast concerns.
- Have a previous history of breast cancer.
- Have new breast symptoms, such as a lump or nipple discharge. See your health care provider immediately.
- Had a mammogram on both breasts within the last 12 months. You must wait at least 1 year before having another screening mammogram.
Screening for Two-Spirit, transgender and non-binary people
If you have not had chest construction surgery or chest reduction surgery, or if you have had a simple reduction mammoplasty, follow the screening recommendations above.
Screening mammography is not recommended. Talk to your health care provider about other screening options.
If you have taken estrogen for more than 5 years:
- Age 40 to 74 with a first-degree relative with breast cancer: get a mammogram every year.
- Age 40 to 49 without a family history of breast cancer: talk to your health care provider about the benefits and limitations of mammography. If you choose screening, you can have a mammogram every two years.
- Age 50 to 74 without a family history of breast cancer: get a mammogram every two years.
- Age 75 and older without a family history of breast cancer: talk to your health care provider about the benefits and limitations of mammography. If you choose screening, it is available every 2 to 3 years.
Talk to your health care provider if you take progestin and have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35.
Screening after mantle radiation for Hodgkin lymphoma
BC Cancer Breast Screening recommends additional breast cancer screening for people who have received mantle radiation treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma.
Research shows that this group has a much higher risk of breast cancer than others of the same age. The increased risk begins about 10 years after treatment and continues to rise over time.
Current evidence suggests that annual digital mammography and breast MRI provide the best screening approach. BC Cancer Breast Screening recommends:
-
A breast MRI every year starting at age 30 or 10 years after radiation treatment, until the age of 65
-
A screening mammogram every year starting at age 30 or 10 years after radiation treatment, until age 74
For more information, see: Fact Sheet: Breast screening for women who received mantle radiation for Hodgkin lymphoma
Breast implants
You can still have a mammogram if you have breast implants.
However, you cannot participate in the BC Cancer Breast Screening Program. Instead, you need a referral for a
diagnostic mammogram.
A diagnostic mammogram allows extra time and specialized imaging techniques to ensure all breast tissue can be examined.
Talk to your health care provider for more information.
If you notice a lump or other breast changes
If you notice a new lump, nipple discharge, or any other breast change, see your health care provider right away.
Your provider will assess your symptoms and decide whether further testing is needed.
If testing is required, you will be referred to a diagnostic imaging clinic. This process is different from routine breast screening, which is for people who do not have symptoms.
Screening mammogram reminders
We will send you a reminder by mail and through Health Gateway when it is time to return for screening.
If you use Health Gateway, you will receive an email or text message when your reminder letter is ready to view.
When you receive your reminder, book your next appointment and make sure your contact is up to date.
To update your address or other contact information, call 1-800-663-9203.
Thermography
BC Cancer does not recommend thermography for breast cancer screening.
There is no evidence that thermography is an effective screening tool for breast cancer, and Health Canada has not approved thermal imaging equipment for breast screening.
Thermography can produce false-positive results, leading to unnecessary testing. It can also miss abnormalities that a screening mammogram may detect.
For these reasons, BC Cancer and many other health organizations across North America do not recommend thermography as a replacement for screening mammography.
For more information, see: