Women can benefit from Ontario's breast cancer screening program

The Ontario Budget has taken a step toward providing the type of expanded screening for breast cancer that Ontario women need, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation —Ontario Region says.

"We're pleased to see breast cancer on the government's agenda and high risk women highlighted in the Ontario Budget, given that 1-in-4 high risk women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. There is a real opportunity to make a difference and to save lives," said Sandra Palmaro, CEO of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation — Ontario Region.

While there are still many details about the funding to screen high risk women that need to be worked out, we are hopeful that the program will address the need for increased and timely access to MRI screening for these women.  We also hope that the program will provide information to women and health care providers to identify who fits into the high risk category.

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation — Ontario Region continues to believe that  more lives would be saved by allowing all women 40-49 into the Ontario Breast Screening Program, versus only high risk women. Today, one of every six women who dies from breast cancer is diagnosed in their 40s.

"We know that the earlier breast cancer is detected, the more positive the outcome. But let's be clear: today 80 per cent of women are average risk. There is no question that the benefit of screening women 40-49 far outweighs the risks and we believe that women in Ontario deserve the same level of care as women in other parts of the country," Palmaro said.

In 2009, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation — Ontario Region convened the It's About Time Scientific Conference to evaluate the most relevant and current research on earlier detection and screening.  More than 80 scientists from across Canada and around the world participated. The outcome was a scientific report that recommended Ontario screen all women ages 40-49.

"Today's budget takes an important step toward the goal of screening all women ages 40-49, an issue also promoted in the Private Member's Bill put forward by MPP David Orazietti," Palmaro said. "We look forward to the opportunity to work with the government to help inform Ontario women of the programs and services available to them."

Source: CANADIAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION (ONTARIO CHAPTER)