Ottawa pauses preventive health task force amid review over breast cancer screening recommendations

By Canadian Press on March 4, 2025.

TORONTO — Federal Health Minister Mark Holland is temporarily suspending the work of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, which has come under fire for not recommending breast cancer screening for women under 50.

Last year Holland ordered an external review of the task force, which provides guidance for primary health-care providers, after it declined to lower the age for mammograms to 40, contradicting many expert opinions including the Canadian Cancer Society.

Holland says the external review panel has finished gathering evidence and is now finalizing its proposals to “modernize and improve” the task force.

He says given the concerns expressed by experts and the public, he has asked the Public Health Agency of Canada to “pause” the group’s work in the meantime.

Breast Cancer Canada and Dense Breasts Canada have both issued statements applauding the minister’s move.

They say the task force’s current recommendation for screening starting at age 50 is based on outdated guidelines that don’t reflect the latest scientific evidence.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 4, 2024.

Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.

Nicole Ireland, The Canadian Press