The federal government's Task Force on Preventative Health Care, responsible for developing guidelines on cancer screening, has faced significant criticism over its breast cancer screening recommendations. The task force suggested that routine screening for average-risk women should commence at age 50, a stance that Dr. Jean Seely, head of breast imaging at The Ottawa Hospital, has strongly opposed. Dr. Seely, along with others, argues that earlier screening would save lives and reduce healthcare costs. In response to these concerns, the Public Health Agency of Canada has paused the task force's work pending an external review.
Dr. Seely's research indicates that beginning screening at age 40 could save hundreds of lives annually and millions in healthcare expenditures. Despite the task force's guidelines, Ontario and most provinces have adopted policies allowing routine screening to start earlier. Dr. Seely considers the existing guidelines outdated and a significant barrier to early detection and treatment.
"The outdated processes and governance of the task force have led to the loss of many Canadian lives from breast cancer. This pause will save lives and reduce the harms of more treatment for late-stage diagnoses of breast cancer," Seely stated.
The criticism extends beyond the age recommendation, touching upon the structure and processes of the task force itself. Dr. Seely has published research challenging the basis of these guidelines, illustrating increased risks for women who delay screening until age 50. The federal government initiated an external expert review last October to evaluate the task force's governance, mandate, and processes, with findings anticipated in the coming weeks.
Federal Health Minister Mark Holland acknowledged ongoing concerns from Canadians and healthcare leaders about the task force's procedures. He announced the pause in the task force's activities to allow a thorough assessment of its methods and recommendations once the review concludes.
Holland noted that the external review "is studying the task force’s governance, mandate and processes."
Dr. Seely welcomes this development, viewing it as a step towards reforming Canada's approach to breast cancer screening. She believes that aligning guidelines with current research will lead to earlier detection, improved outcomes, and ultimately, a reduction in breast cancer-related fatalities.
