The Department of Health and Community Service estimates an additional 24,000 people will now be eligible for the provincial breast screening program. (Damian Dovarganes/The Associated Press)

Newfoundland and Labrador has lowered the recommended age for breast cancer screenings from age 50 to 40.

The decision, announced Tuesday by Premier Andrew Furey, was based on a recommendation last week, which urged provinces and territories to start breast cancer screening programs at age 40.

“We took immediate action. I asked the minister to act on it immediately, given the evidence that was presented,” he told reporters outside the House of Assembly on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Department of Health and Community Service said the shift would mean an additional 24,000 people will be eligible for the provincial breast screening program.

People also won’t be required to get a screening referral from a health care provider and can ask for it, which is meant to avoid creating a backlog.

Health Minister Tom Osborne said the shift will bring about earlier detection of breast cancer and earlier treatment.

“Lowering the recommended age for breast cancer screening to 40 will help ensure more people get the screening at an earlier age,” he said in a statement.

“By establishing self-referrals for breast cancer screening, we help ensure that people who want to have screening can get the screening without placing an extra burden on primary health care providers.”

The statement also said the change will give people more preventive health choices as well as effective and less costly treatment.

The department will also work with N.L. Health Services on the policy change and the influx of additional patients.