Mammothon – Not the Only Reason to Get Screened!

Mammothon is a one-day breast screening marathon to encourage as many women as possible to get up-to-date on their breast screening by booking and completing a mammogram. On Wednesday, May 2, 2018, all six Ontario Breast Screening (OBSP) sites in Northwestern Ontario will be participating in Mammothon by offering a mixture of booked and walk-in appointments. Call 1-800-461-7031 to book your mammogram!

On Wednesday May 2, 2018 women across Northwestern Ontario are encouraged to complete a breast cancer screening mammogram as part of a one-day screening marathon called, ‘Mammothon’. Last year’s Mammothon was a great success.110 women in Northwestern Ontario, between the ages 50-74, who had not had a mammogram in the last two years, were screened for breast cancer. Of those 110 women, 40 completed a mammogram for the first time. There are many good reasons to get screened for breast cancer:

  1. One out of eight Canadian women are diagnosed with breast cancer.
    Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women, with one in eight expected to be diagnosed in their lifetime. If caught early, there is less chance of the cancer spreading, and a greater chance of successfully treating it. This is why the province offers an organized cancer screening program, called the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP).  The OBSP offers mammograms to eligible women between the ages of 50 to 74 years to help detect breast cancer early.
  2. Over one third of eligible women in our region are not being screened.
    Women, between the ages of 50 and 74 years, should be screened for breast cancer with a mammogram every two years. In Northwestern Ontario, only 62% of eligible women have completed a mammogram within a 30-month period and are up to date with their screening. The provincial goal is to have 70% or more of eligible women, aged 50-74 years, complete a mammogram every two years.
  3. Mammograms take under 20 minutes to complete.
    A mammogram is a quick and easy way to detect breast cancer in its early stages. It only takes five minutes to book it, and under 20 minutes to complete the mammogram.
  4. There are other ways to help reduce your risk of breast cancer.
    Mammograms are the most reliable way to detect breast cancer for women aged over 50, but there are many other ways to reduce the risk of breast cancer, such as living a healthy lifestyle. This includes maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and staying smoke-free, and limiting alcohol consumption. MyCancerIQ, a free online risk-assessment tool developed by Cancer Care Ontario, provides a personalized action plan to reduce the risk of breast cancer and five other cancers. For more information on MyCancerIQ, visit: www.mycanceriq.ca.
  5. It has never been easier to access cancer screening services.
    There are a number of locations around the region to get screened for breast cancer. On May 2, 2018 during Mammothon, all OBSP sites will be offering screening times as follows:

Thunder Bay Diagnostics

Pre-booked and walk-in appointments from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Call (807) 683-4411 to book your appointment.

Linda Buchan Centre, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

Pre-booked appointments only.
Call 1-800-461-7031 to book your appointment.

Screen for Life Coach – Parked at Superstore Thunder Bay

Pre-booked and walk-in appointments from 8:00am – 8:00pm.
Call 1-800-461-7031 to book your appointment.

Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Kenora

Pre-booked and walk-in appointments from 8:30 am – 8:00 pm.
Call 1-800-461-7031 to book your appointment.

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Sioux Lookout

Pre-booked and walk-in appointments from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Call 1-800-461-7031 to book your appointment.

Riverside Health Centre, Fort Frances

Pre-booked appointments only.
Call (807) 274-4808 to book your appointment.

Eligible women, who have a breast screening mammogram during Mammothon, will receive a small gift bag and be entered into a draw to win a local gift crate from Clover Lane Crates!

If you have received a letter about screening or are in the age eligible range for breast cancer screening and have not had a mammogram in the past two years, Mammothon is the perfect opportunity to get your appointment booked. For more information on cancer screening in Northwestern Ontario, check out: www.tbrhsc.net/cancerscreening.