Guidelines
Guidelines for breast cancer screening are determined by each province and territory, based on a wide range of factors, including local considerations. Provincial and territorial guidelines recommend screening to begin between ages 40 to 50 and end at age 74 for asymptomatic individuals at average risk.
Most guidelines recommend mammography screening every two years for eligible people, with variation across jurisdictions. Some jurisdictions accept individuals outside of these guidelines if an individual chooses to be screened, has been identified as high risk, or has a physician recommendation.
Provincial and territorial screening guidelines
| P/T |
Age eligibility |
Routine screening interval |
Exclusion criteria |
| YT |
- 50-74
- 40-49 by self-referral
- 75+ have option to continue by self-referral, but are no longer recalled
|
Two years |
- Personal history of breast cancer
- Breast symptoms
- Mammogram of both breasts in the last 12 months
- Age <40 years
- Currently pregnant or pregnant in the last four months
- Currently breastfeeding or breastfeeding in the last four months
- Breast implants
|
| NT |
- 45-74
- 40-44 with PCP referral
- 75+ with PCP referral to continue screening
|
Two years |
- Known diagnosis or history of breast cancer
- Breast symptoms
- Breast implants
|
| NU |
- 50-74 with PCP referral
- Planning for the implementation of an organized screening program for 40-74 is being initiated in 2026
|
As recommended by PCP |
- Personal history of breast cancer
- Breast symptoms/complaints
- Breast implants
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding, or have been within three months
- Mammogram of both breasts in the last 12 months
|
| BC |
- 50–74
- 40–49 by self-referral, but not actively recruited
- 75+ accepted by self-referral, but not actively recruited
- For transgender or gender-diverse clients, see BC’s guidance document (bc.cancer.ca)
|
Two years |
- Personal history of breast cancer
- Breast symptoms/complaints
- Breast implants
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding, or have been within three months
- Mammogram of both breasts in the last 12 months.
|
| AB |
- 45-74
- 40-44 with PCP referral
- 75+ with PCP referral to continue screening
|
Two years |
- Known diagnosis or history of breast cancer
- Bilateral mastectomies
- Signs and symptoms which could be associated with breast cancer
|
| SK |
- 50-74
- 43-49 by self-referral, but not actively recruited*
- 75+ by self-referral, but not actively recruited
|
Two years |
- Breast cancer in the last five years
- Breast symptoms
- Breast implants
|
| MB |
- 50-74
- 45-49 by self-referral, but not actively recruited
- 75+ by self-referral, but not actively recruited
- 40-49 by self-referral by end of 2026
|
Two years |
- Previous breast cancer diagnosis
- Symptomatic
- Breast implants
- Screening mammogram within the last 11 months
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
|
| ON* |
- 40-74
- 75+ with PCP referral
|
Two years |
- Personal history of breast cancer
- Bilateral mastectomy
- Symptomatic
- Acute breast cancer symptoms
- Screening mammogram within the last 11 months*
|
| QC |
|
Two years |
- Personal history of breast cancer
- Screening mammogram within the last 11 months
|
| NB |
|
One to two years for individuals aged 40 to 49 and every two to three years for individuals aged 50 to 74 |
- Personal history of breast cancer
- Symptomatic for breast cancer
- Breast Implants
|
| NS* |
- 40-74
- 75+ by self-referral, but not actively recruited
|
Two years |
- Personal history of breast cancer
- Breast symptoms
- Breast implants
|
| PE* |
- 50-74
- 40-49 by self-referral
- 75+ with PCP referral
|
Two years |
- Personal history of breast cancer
- Breast symptoms
- Mammogram of both breasts within the last 11 months
- Breast implants
- Currently pregnant
- Currently breastfeeding or breastfeeding in the last 6 months
|
| NL |
- 40-74
- 74+ only if previously enrolled in the program
|
Two years |
- Personal history of breast cancer
- Breast symptoms
- Breast implants
- Screening mammogram within the last 11 months
|
Data are current as of February 2026.
*Footnotes:
SK: As of July 1, 2026, BreastCheck (formally called the Screening Program for Breast Cancer) will be expanded to include women ages 40 to 42.
ON: As of October 16, 2023, people with breast implants are able to be screened in the Ontario Breast Screening Program.
NS: Transgender, gender-diverse, and non-binary people were added into the eligibility criteria to create an inclusive breast screening clinical practice guidelines. Annual screening is now recommended for individuals with extremely dense breasts (Category D). Annual screening is recommended for individuals ages 40-49.
PE: Annual screening is recommended for individuals with category D density.
