Medical experts want national cancer-screening guidelines reviewed more frequently – Halifax [Video]

Medical experts from across the country are calling out delays in updating national cancer-screening guidelines.

The Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care is being asked to revisit its recommendations more frequently — as medical technologies rapidly change.

The chair of Breast Cancer Canada’s board of directors says changes could save lives.

“Waiting 10 plus years for an update is just not acceptable anymore,” said Shaniah Leduc.

It’s been over a decade since national guidelines were set, which recommends women aged 50 and older should have access to mammography to screen for breast cancer.

Since then, evidence has shown that the age of breast cancer incidents is becoming younger. That has prompted experts in the field to call on the task force, which sets national guidelines, to drop its recommendation to 40.

“Absolutely this will save lives, there’s no question about it. The sooner that the breast cancer is detected, …