Province expanding free breast cancer screening to Albertans 40 and over

Alberta is updating its breast cancer screening policies as well as introducing fertility assistance for people about to undergo cancer treatment.

The Government of Alberta has lowered the age of self-referral for breast cancer screening and is providing funding to Cancer Care Alberta to create an oncofertility program.

Albertans aged 40 and older will be eligible for free screening without a physician referral starting April 1, 2027. In the interim, those 40 to 44 can access free screening with a one-time physician referral.

The province said the expansion will allow for nearly 200,000 women eligible for free and accessible breast cancer screening.

Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services Adriana LaGrange got emotional at a press conference announcing the programs Wednesday.

“I have a very strong family history of cancer. I’ve watched my father die of colon cancer, my sister die of colon cancer at the age of 29,” said LaGrange. “We’re all touched by it, so we have to remember to make it real and not just think about the dollars and cents and statistics — it’s human lives.”

The province is also putting forth $2.25 million to Cancer Care Alberta, in partnership with Fertility Alberta, to fund a new oncofertility program that will support cancer patients facing urgent fertility decisions.

“Knowing that if you go to early treatment, you might not be able to have kids. It’s an impossible choice,” said Smith. “We don’t think they should have to make that (decision).”

The oncofertility program is expected to benefit between 250 and 400 patients and will cover the costs of fertility care, including IVF.

“Oncofertility care ensures that patients have the information they need to make timely and informed choices, helps with coordination and system navigation and connects them with fertility specialists and services to navigate options,” said Smith. “Cancer treatment is about more than getting through today. It’s also about ensuring that there is a tomorrow to look forward to.”

Katie Smith was faced with this very decision in 2020 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“At the age of 32, my fiance, now my husband, and I had two days to decide on our future family plans,” said Katie. “Within those first few days, we had to find almost $20,000 to pay for fertility preservation and start the egg retrieval process before starting my cancer treatment.”

Luckily for Katie and her husband, they were able to scrape enough funds together to cover fertility preservation and had jobs that supported Katie while she underwent chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy.

“On April 18, 2024, we welcomed our son Jonah into the world, unconventionally made, but made possible because we were able to preserve our fertility before I began my cancer treatment,” said Katie. “But what about the people who are not as lucky as us? … Funding oncofertility preservation is a crucial first step in supporting Albertans with fertility care.

“It makes me emotional to know that other Albertans will have an easier time navigating this challenge.”

According to the province, Alberta has the highest breast cancer screening rates in Canada, with 84 per cent of women aged 50-74 and 52 per cent of women aged 40 to 49 screened in the past three years.