Thank you, Madam Chair.
We've had some very important and enlightening discussions.
Before the meeting, the Library of Parliament provided us with some information on the situation in each province. Our teams have also gathered information in each of the provinces, and it seems to be encouraging.
A number of provincial governments have opted not to follow the breast cancer screening guidelines. I think that's the good news today, with professionals at the local, regional and professional levels deciding to lower the screening age to 40. Some provinces, however, recommend women go for screening at around 45.
Nevertheless, that falls within the average range we would like to get to, according to your recommendations, so it bodes well.
I should note that, in Quebec, the recommended age range for screening is 50 to 74. There is hope on the horizon because it's possible that Quebec, too, could move to lower the screening age to 40.
I've had health issues, myself. I won't get into all that, but I just want to say that some of us around the table and people in our families have also had issues. A few years ago, a cousin of mine who was in her thirties had a double mastectomy. It's awful. It's an absolutely awful thing to go through. The fact that people dealing with these situations experience so much distress is, of course, very understandable.
Dr. Seely brought up equity earlier. She said that lowering the eligibility age for breast cancer screening to 40 was a matter of health, obviously—the effort is worth the cost, and we have evidence to back that up—but also a matter of equity.
How do you see the equity issue?
The question is for whomever of the four of you can answer.