Women aged 40 and over can now self-refer to the Ontario Breast Screening Program.

Beginning October 8th, women over the age of 40 can now self-refer for publicly funded mammograms through the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP). This expansion will provide an additional one million women with easier access to essential screening services, facilitating early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

CGMH screened its first newly eligible patient through the OBSP on Tuesday. Forty-year-old Rebecca Fox expressed her gratitude for this opportunity. “Breast cancer affects one in every nine women in Ontario, and we know that early detection and increased access to treatment save lives,” stated Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

Research indicates that regular mammography screening can detect breast cancer before it spreads. By lowering the age for self-referral from 50 to 40, more women can now conveniently access mammograms at any OBSP site.

When detected early, breast cancer has a five-year relative survival rate of 100% at stage 1. However, this rate drops to less than 30% at stage 4. Thus, early detection is critical. “Tell your Breast Friends about cancer screening,” says Jamey Gilroy, manager Diagnostic Imaging and Echocardiography, it might be one of the most important things you do.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, all eligible women are encouraged to consult with a healthcare provider or contact Health811 to discuss their cancer risk and the benefits of screening.

To self-refer for an OBSP appointment, please call the OBSP Booking Clerk at (705) 444-8670.

A life-changing initiative: Raising the standard of care for breast cancer screening.
This is an important step forward in ensuring that more women can access breast cancer screening services. But while the government is improving access, it’s up to us, as a community, to ensure that the care they receive is equipped with the best resources and equipment.

When women walk through the doors of our hospital for a mammogram, CGMH wants them to be met with the most advanced, effective screening tools available. But right now, our hospital’s mammography equipment is aging, and while it has served our community well over the last ten years, it not only needs to be replaced, it needs to be modernized with the latest and most advanced technology.

Help us invest in a new Mammography Unit that will help detect cancers earlier, reduce the need for additional invasive testing, and most importantly, save lives by diagnosing breast cancer more quickly and accurately.