Breast Cancer Screening

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Ontario women. It can be hard to see or feel, which is why Ontario Health - Cancer Care Ontario recommends that women have their breasts screened using mammography. A mammogram is an X-ray of your breast tissue and is the best screening test available to detect breast cancer early.

The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) is the provincial breast cancer screening program that oversees breast cancer screening for women between the ages of 50 and 74 years. All OBSP sites must meet provincial quality and performance standards.

Benefits of being screened as part of the OBSP include:

  • A letter inviting women to participate in screening.
  • A letter notifying participants and health care providers of screening results
  • A reminder letter telling you when it is time to return for your next mammogram. Usually this is every two years. Women over the age of 73 do not receive a reminder, but they can continue to be screened through the OBSP with a requisition from their health care provider.
  • Help to set up extra tests or referrals if your results suggest that they are needed.
  • Tracking participants throughout screening process.
  • High-quality mammograms at sites accredited by the Canadian Association of Radiologists.
  • Well-developed quality assurance processes.
  • Continuous evaluation of the program’s quality and performance.


When to get screened for breast cancer?

The OBSP recommends that women at average risk should get a regular breast screening mammogram every two years if they:

  • Are between 50 and 74 years of age
  • Are Ontario residents
  • Have no acute breast symptoms
  • Have no personal history of breast cancer
  • Have no current breast implants
  • Have not had a mammogram in the past 11 months

Women at high risk for breast cancer

Some women are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer, and they require annual screening. Speak to your health care provider about the right screening for you. Follow this link for more information about the provincial OBSP High Risk Program

Where can you get screened?

 

OBSP breast assessment affiliates provide timely, high quality diagnosis and follow-up. They also provide the information and emotional support that clients need.

Thunder Bay OBSP Affiliated Sites:

The Linda Buchan Centre for Breast Screening and Assessment
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

980 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON
P7B 6V4
(807) 684-7777 or 1-800-461-7031

Thunder Bay Diagnostics
63 Algoma St. N #100
Thunder Bay, ON
P7A 4Z6
(807) 683-4411
www.tbaymedicalcentre.com

Screen for Life Coach
(75 different locations in Thunder Bay and across the region)
980 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON
P7B 6V4
(807) 684-7777 or 1-800-461-7031
www.tbrhsc.net/screenforlife

Regional OBSP Affiliated Sites:

Fort Frances
Riverside Health Care Facilities
110 Victoria Avenue
Fort Frances, ON
P9A 2B7
(807) 274-4808
http://www.riversidehealthcare.ca/
Kenora
Lake of the Woods District Hospital
21 West Sylvan Street
Kenora, ON
P9N 3W7
(807) 684-7777
http://lwdh.on.ca/
Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre
1 Meno Ya Win Way
PO BOX 909
Sour Outlook, ON
P8T 1B4
(807) 737-6579
http://www.slmhc.on.ca/

Breast Cancer Screening Facts

  • More than 80% of breast cancers are found in women over 50 years of age.
  • Most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history.
  • Cancer screening finds cancer earlier, when it is easier to treat.
  • The Screen for Life Coach offers breast, cervical, and colon cancer screening services.
  • The Screen for Life Coach visits over 75 different locations throughout Northwestern Ontario