Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women and the Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program and Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) are encouraging local women to get screened regularly.
Officials say breast cancer affects one in nine Canadian women in their lifetime. An estimated 9,300 women in Ontario will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and sadly, 1,950 will die from the disease.
Yet only 61 per cent of Ontario women aged 50 to 74 were screened in 2010-11. There are still many women who would benefit from regular breast screening.
“We know that it often takes a loved one to remind those they care about to get screened,” said Dr. Derek Muradali, radiologist chief for CCO’s Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP).
“We want to spread the message that mammograms are the best tool we have for detecting breast cancer, and all eligible women should take advantage of our screening program in Ontario.”
Women who are both average and high risk can be screened through the OBSP. Average risk women, aged 50 to 74, can be screened with mammography every two years without a referral.
High-risk women, aged 30 to 69, can be referred to the High Risk Screening Program for an annual mammography and MRI.
“Since launching the High Risk Screening Program in July 2011, more than 150 women have been enrolled into the program at Grand River Hospital,” says Dr. Samantha Feinberg, regional breast imaging lead for Waterloo Wellington.
“Women who are aware of their high-risk status get peace of mind knowing that they are receiving the most appropriate and high-quality screening available to them close to home.”
She continued, “We have had a significant increase in referrals to the genetics program at Grand River Regional Cancer Centre as a result of actress Angelina Jolie’s public disclosure of her high-risk status.”
Judy Burns, regional vice president for the Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program, said currently over 2,000 women have mammograms each month in the Waterloo Wellington region.
“However we know that many women, who are eligible to be screened, are not having them done regularly every two years,” said Burns.
“I strongly encourage all women 50 to 74 years of age to call their nearest OBSP site to make an appointment. A doctor’s referral is not required and there is no cost.”
As of June 2013, there are 162 OBSP sites, including two mobile coaches. Women aged 50 to 74 can self-refer to any OBSP site, meaning they do not need a referral from a doctor to receive a mammogram
Women aged 30 to 69 years are considered to be at high risk if they have:
– a genetic mutation that puts them at high risk for breast cancer;
– a parent, sibling or child who has a genetic mutation that puts them at high risk for breast cancer and they have denied genetic testing;
– a family history that indicates a lifetime risk of breast cancer that is greater or equal to 25 per cent confirmed through genetic assessment; and
– have received radiation therapy to the chest before age 30 and at least eight years previously.
To find out when to start screening for cancer, or to encourage friends and family to get checked, visit the Time to Screen Tool at: www.ontario.ca/screenforlife. To find an OBSP site, call 1-800-668-9304 or cancercare.on.ca/breastscreening/locations.
The Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program coordinates cancer care for residents of the region. The program includes services provided at Grand River Hospital’s Regional Cancer Centre, a top rated cancer centre in Ontario, in partnership with community hospitals in the region.
