In this Global News TV clip, Canadian experts Dr. Jean Seely and Dr. Paula Gordon are speaking up to remind women and family doctors that 400 deaths a year can result if the Canadian Task Force guideline, which does not recommend screening for women in the 40s, is followed.

Why the need to speak  up? In ON NL NB QC MB SK AB, women in their 40s need a requisition from their health care practitioner if they want a mammogram. Practitioners may not  recognize that the guideline is conditional on a woman's values and preferences. The decision to be screened is a woman's choice.The guidelines have a new emphasis on shared decision making between women and doctors.

Practitioners will likely inform women of the harms of a mammogram: potential recalls can result in anxiety and there is a chance of overdiagnosis. The benefits, however, far outweigh any harms.

Here are the reasons why mammograms are critical for women in their 40s: the incidence of breast cancer increases at age 40, 17% of breast cancers are found in women in their 40s, half of fatal cancers are diagnosed by age 49, women in their 40s who have mammograms are 44% less likely to die from breast cancer than those who do not. Mammograms can detect cancers early, allowing women a chance to avoid chemotherapy, mastectomy and lymphedema, 

If women still want a requisition after the discussion, it is the WOMAN"S choice, based on the new shared decision making aspect of the guidelines and a woman's preferences.  A woman's choice - not the doctor's.   

Please help us inform women and help us get to 80,000 signatures by sharing this petition.  Thank you!