Alberta’s government is expanding free breast cancer screening to all women aged 40 and older and is providing $2.25 million to Cancer Care Alberta, in partnership with Fertility Alberta, to create a new oncofertility program to support cancer patients facing urgent fertility decisions.
One in two Albertans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Through earlier screening, cancer can be identified sooner, when lifesaving treatment is most effective. Preserving fertility ensures treatment does not take away a future beyond diagnosis, including the choice to build a family.
“The word cancer changes a life in an instant. In that moment, families are forced to make difficult decisions no one can prepare for. By expanding screening and supporting fertility preservation, we’re making sure Albertans have real options, real support, and the chance to plan for a future beyond their diagnosis.”
“As a cancer survivor, I know that facing cancer can feel overwhelming. Expanding breast cancer screening and strengthening fertility preservation supports is about giving Albertans more hope, more options and better support during one of the most difficult times in their lives.”
New Oncofertility Program
The program is expected to benefit 250-400 patients annually and builds on the provincewide oncofertility pathway introduced in 2025, which improved standardized screening and streamlined referrals to fertility clinics for patients who may want to have children after treatment.
It addresses a key gap by adding financial support for faster access to urgent fertility consultations, so patients can make critical decisions before treatment begins. This innovative program brings together care, funding and navigation to ensure patients can act quickly with the peace of mind that their future fertility is protected and focus on treatment.
The program will be fully developed and implemented in 2026-27, with more information on eligibility and how to access supports to be shared as details are finalized.
“Fertility Alberta welcomes government action on oncofertility support. Cancer patients often face urgent, costly fertility decisions. This announcement reduces barriers and is a meaningful first step toward improving access to fertility support for Albertans.”
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 32 years old. I know first-hand how overwhelming those first few days are after a diagnosis. I was processing life-changing news, while being asked to make urgent decisions about my future; my fiancé (now husband) and I wanted a family and only had two days to decide on and find the money for our preservation before I started cancer treatment. This announcement removes significant financial pressure, allowing patients to focus on treatment without giving up the possibility of starting or growing their family one day. It’s not just about surviving cancer, it’s about protecting the life you’ve imagined after it.”
“Cancer Care Alberta is proud to partner with the provincial government and Fertility Alberta to build upon the established oncofertility expertise within our health system. By strengthening this integrated approach, we are ensuring that Albertans can take steps to protect their future fertility.”
“Scientific advances in fertility preservation now offer real hope for cancer patients. The Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society commends the Alberta government’s landmark commitment to ensuring this vulnerable population retains access to future reproductive choice.”
Expanding breast cancer screening
Beginning April 1, 2027, all women aged 40 and older will be able to self-refer for breast cancer screening without a physician referral. In the interim, women aged 40 to 44 can access free screening with a one-time physician referral, while women aged 45 and older can continue to self-refer.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting Alberta women. This expansion will make more than 193,000 additional women eligible for breast cancer screening, helping detect cancer earlier, often before symptoms appear, when treatment is most effective.
“Mammography is a safe and effective screening tool for early cancer detection. This policy change will save lives, reinforcing Alberta’s long-standing leadership in breast cancer screening, and improving outcomes for women across the province.”
“Breast cancer is now more than 90 per cent survivable when caught early, so rapid detection is the most powerful defence we have against this disease. Expanding access to women at age 40 provides a critical head start toward earlier treatment and a successful recovery. This is a powerful step forward that directly improves the outcomes for cancer patients and their families.”
Quick facts
- Oncofertility preserves fertility before cancer treatment so patients can have biological children in the future.
- In 2025, Cancer Care Alberta introduced a provincewide oncofertility pathway that integrated clinical tools, screening and simplified referrals; the new program builds on this work.
- Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in Alberta women.
- The five-year relative survival rate is 98 per cent for early-stage, compared with 54 per cent for advanced-stage diagnoses (2018-2021).
- Alberta has the highest breast cancer screening rates in Canada, with 84 per cent of women aged 50-74 and 52 per cent of women aged 40-49 screened by mammogram in the past three years.