Breast cancer screening guidelines for lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer women
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer women and other women who have sex with women (WSW) need to be screened for breast cancer according to the following guidelines:
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WSW between the ages of 40 and 49 at average risk |
Talk to your client about whether and how often she should be screened, according to individual risk factors. |
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WSW between the ages of 50 and 69 |
Should have a screening mammogram every two years. |
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WSW age 70 and older |
Talk to your client about whether and how often she should be screened, according to individual risk factors. |
WSW at high risk of developing breast cancer may need to be screened earlier and/or more often for breast cancer than WSW at average risk. The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) has a high-risk breast screening program for clients aged 30–69 who have one or more of the following risk factors:
- a genetic mutation that puts them at a higher risk for breast cancer
- a parent, sibling or child who has a genetic mutation that puts them at a higher risk for breast cancer
- a family history that indicates a lifetime risk of breast cancer that is greater or equal to 25% confirmed through genetic assessment
- received radiation therapy to the chest before age 30 as treatment for another cancer or condition (for example, Hodgkin’s disease)