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According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the world’s most common cancer diagnosis. In Canada alone, almost 28,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. But due to a strong screening protocol, they also have very high survival rates.
Breast screening tests, including mammograms, can identify cancer long before most symptoms are felt. The earlier cancer is caught, the less disruptive and more successful treatment will be. Most provinces and territories have breast screening programs which allow women to self-refer for mammograms.
Learn more about the Ontario Breast Screening Program: what it offers, how eligibility works, the benefits of regular screening and what follow-up treatment might entail.
The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) is a provincially funded health screening program designed to make the regular practice of breast screening faster, simpler and more widespread. OBSP tests people at both high and average risk for developing breast cancer.
The screening test is a mammogram, a specialized X-ray which captures images of breast tissue between two plates. The OBSP provides these mammograms free of charge and does not require a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner if you meet the eligibility requirements. Patients also receive reminder notices when it’s time for their next screening, usually every two years.
With PocketHealth, you can access your mammograms and medical reports as soon as they are released by the radiologist, often ahead of your follow-up appointment with your referring physician. Report Reader helps you easily decode complex medical terms in your report, empowering you to have more informed and meaningful conversations with your doctor about your health.
Regular breast cancer screening is an important preventative health care practice. Because screening mammograms check for signs of disease before any symptoms appear, they establish a baseline from which to measure any changes over time.
That all-important baseline means you and your healthcare team are promptly alerted if your breast tissue shows any changes or irregularities. Early treatment means cancer has less chance of spreading and survival rates are much higher. Today, thanks to effective treatment, almost 100% of women survive Stage 1 breast cancer.
Another major benefit of regular breast cancer screening is peace of mind. With PocketHealth, you can see your mammogram images and report, often as soon as they’re released by the radiologist. For Mary, waiting for mammogram results was always nerve-wracking, but that changed when she discovered PocketHealth. Instead of anxiously waiting for a call from her doctor, she could access her images and reports online, giving her peace of mind and control over her health. You can read more about Mary’s story here.
The OBSP recommendation is that eligible women, Two-Spirit, trans and nonbinary people have a screening mammogram every two years. Previously the recommendation was from ages 50-74; as of fall 2024, the starting age will drop to 40. Participants are divided into two general groups: average risk and high risk.
If you are 30 to 69 years old and confirmed high risk | If you are 40 to 49 years old | If you are 50 to 74 years old | If you are over 74 years old | |
Doctors' referral required? | Yes, high-risk status needs to be confirmed by a doctor or genetic counselor | No, you can self-refer for mammograms | No, you can self-refer for mammograms | Yes, you will need a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner |
Covered by OHIP? | Yes, with a referral | Yes | Yes | Yes, with a referral |
Diagnostic imaging test | OBSP recommends getting a mammogram with an MRI | Mammogram | Mammogram | Mammogram |
Testing frequency recommended | Once a year | Every two years | Every two years | As needed |
The average risk group is comprised of patients aged 50-74 who:
After the age of 74, the OBSP will no longer automatically recall participants for mammograms, however, patients 75 and over can still have mammograms through the program with a referral from their doctor or nurse practitioner.
The high risk group consists of patients aged 30-69 who meet any of the criteria in either of the two following categories.
Category A is based on personal family or history, and includes patients who:
Category B requires confirmed genetic assessment and includes patients who:
The High Risk OBSP does not accept new participants over age 70, but existing participants will be screened until age 74.
After your OBSP mammogram, your images are sent to a radiologist for interpretation, and a detailed report is generated. With PocketHealth Report Reader, you can easily decode complex medical terms in your report, empowering you to have more informed and meaningful conversations with your doctor about your health.
If your results are normal, the OBSP will notify you directly by mail. Your letter will also inform you when your next mammogram should be. The OBSP will also send your results to your primary healthcare provider.
It’s important to understand that most cases of abnormal results do not indicate breast cancer. For instance, the fibroglandular tissue of dense breasts can look similar to cancer in mammograms. An abnormal result means only that you require more testing.
MyCare Navigator highlights any follow-up recommendations in the radiologist’s report and also creates a list of customized questions to help steer your discussion with your doctor.
Regular screening mammograms through the Ontario Breast Screening Program not only help you maintain your breast health but are also potentially lifesaving. They can detect signs of breast cancer well before you feel any symptoms. Early detection makes for more effective treatment and leads to higher survival rates and improved health outcomes overall.
PocketHealth empowers you to stay informed about your breast health, enabling you to engage in better conversations with your healthcare team and take control of your health journey. With access to your imaging records, PocketHealth provides the information you need to make informed decisions about your care, keeping you proactive in managing your health.
