Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to speak on the issue of the breast cancer screening program being designed by the government. The Department of Health and Social Services is moving towards implementing a breast cancer screening program very soon and I would like to commend the Minister and the department for following through on this important area of prevention and treatment.

At the same time, Mr. Speaker, I recently learned that the department will be placing a strict limitation on how women would be targeted for screening and it has given me cause for concern. In relying on research that has long been challenged by more recent studies and expert opinions in the field, it is my understanding that the government will not allow mammography screening of women under 50 unless she's in a high risk category. Mr. Speaker, this would be a big mistake and extremely short-sighted and I would urge the Minister to seriously reconsider this position.

In talking to a medical professional recently, he has indicated to me that he has seen increased incidence of breast cancer in young aboriginal women from small communities in the NWT that would have been easily treated had the cancer been detected earlier. He has also indicated that the technology in mammography is continually improving and it is a highly effective means of detection at the very early stage of the disease.

Mr. Speaker, this is a highly personal issue for me, not only because I am a woman and will be turning 40 shortly, but I have lost two very close friends from university to breast cancer and they were both diagnosed in their early to mid-40s. I know a number of women in Yellowknife who have been diagnosed with breast cancer as well, and none of these women belong to the conventional high risk category.

My point, Mr. Speaker, is that the evidence is before my very eyes. So to me, the government's insistence that the screening will only be available to women over 50 doesn't make any sense at all and, I would say, is even reckless. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that there is a need for a cutoff somewhere and I understand that the priority should be given to women aged 50 and over, however I must insist that women under 40 years of age be given the opportunity of screening if they so wish. At the same time, there should be a comprehensive public information campaign to let them know this service is available and it is advisable for them to take the test as soon as they turn 40. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause