Alberta to expand oncofertility program and lower breast screening age

Alberta announced it will lower the self-referral age for breast cancer screening to 40 effective April 1, 2027, and will fund an oncofertility program intended to preserve fertility for 250–400 patients a year.

Alberta announced changes to cancer care that include lowering the self-referral age for breast cancer screening and expanding an oncofertility program. Premier Danielle Smith and Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange made the announcement at a news conference in Edmonton. The government said it will dedicate $2.25 million to develop an oncofertility program intended to preserve fertility for patients before cancer treatment. Officials said the screening change is scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2027. Key details: - Self-referral for mammograms or breast imaging will be open to people aged 40 and older beginning April 1, 2027, which the government estimates will make about 193,000 more women eligible. - The province will provide $2.25 million to develop an oncofertility program that officials say could benefit between 250 and 400 patients each year and will be developed and implemented later this year. - Until the self-referral change takes effect, people aged 40–44 can access free screening through a physician referral, and opposition officials expressed concern about timely access to follow-up care. Summary: The announced changes are intended to increase access to early breast cancer detection and to reduce financial barriers for patients facing urgent fertility decisions. The screening self-referral age shift is set for April 1, 2027. The oncofertility program will be developed with a $2.25 million allocation and is expected to be implemented later this year.