What Is Breast Cancer Screening?

The goal of breast cancer screening is to detect cancer early and provide treatment. Mammography is currently the recommended test used to detect breast cancer.

It is important to find breast cancer early because:

• There is a better chance of treating the cancer successfully
• It is less likely to spread
• There may be more treatment options
• When breast cancer is caught early, 90% of women fully recover after treatment

The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) - a program administered by Cancer Care Ontario - provides mammography screening for women at average risk of developing breast cancer aged 50 years and older. 
Now, women aged 30-69 who are found to be at high risk for developing breast cancer will also have access to OBSP services including annual mammography and breast MRI screening.

Overview: OBSP

First established in 1990, the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) provides high quality breast cancer screening services to women living in Ontario. It is operated by Cancer Care Ontario and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

The OBSP currently accepts women who fall into the following two categories:

1. Women at average risk of developing breast cancer, age 50 and over:

Evidence shows that regular mammograms for women who are at average risk and 50 years or older, are the most effective way to detect breast cancer early. Average risk means you have no other risk factors simply than being a woman and being older (i.e. 50 and over).

2. Women at high risk of developing breast cancer, age 30 to 69:

As of July 1 2011, women in Ontario aged 30 to 69 who are at high risk for breast cancer due to genetic factors or a personal or family history suggestive of hereditary breast cancer can receive an annual breast screening MRI and mammogram through the OBSP.

How to get a mammogram:

• All physicians in our Family Health Team are members of the OBSP
• When you go for your first mammogram, you will automatically be entered as part of the OBSP.  You will receive reminder letters for your screening from the program, and copies of your test results are sent to your family doctor to review.
• Women aged 50 and over who are at average risk may refer themselves to the OBSP. To self-refer, please call an OBSP site directly to make an appointment.
• Women between the ages of 30 to 69 who are at high risk will need a referral from their doctor or nurse practitioner to be screened at an OBSP centre.

Appointment information

If you are a female between the ages of 50 and 74 in our Family Health Team, you are already a participant of the OBSP.   Letters will be sent to you by the OBSP indicating how and where to book your appointment. After your appointment, follow up letters will be sent to your home indicating the time interval for your next screening date.  Your family doctor will review all results, and a call will be given if any follow up is needed.
  

Letters

You will receive 2 letters from the OBSP. The first letter will prompt you to book either your first appointment, or to book any follow-up appointments.  There will be a second reminder letter sent, if you do not book your appointment after receiving the first letter. 

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