BC Cancer’s Breast Screening Program now includes breast density information with all the screening mammogram results sent to British Columbia women and their care providers after their screening.
The change makes B.C. the first province in Canada to report these results directly to all women and their health-care providers with their screening mammogram results.
Previously, breast density information was only available by request through the Breast Screening Program.
This move follows the completion of an external review by Dr. Andy Coldman, an emeritus scientist in the cancer control research department at the University of B.C. and the BC Cancer Research Centre.
The review report made three key recommendations, one of which was to develop a plan to communicate breast density results to women in B.C.
The other two include continued assessment of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System, which performs density scoring, and monitoring of the ongoing results of randomized clinical trials of additional screening in women with negative screening mammography.
A reminder that the BC Cancer Breast Screening’s digital mobile mammography service will be in Ashcroft on Monday, Feb. 25. Call 1-800-663-9203 to book an appointment for this free service.
Quick facts
• Around one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
• Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found in women in B.C., with around 3,500 women receiving a breast cancer diagnosis each year.
• BC Cancer’s Breast Screening Program offers no-cost screening mammograms to eligible women in B.C. who are between the ages of 40 and 74.
• Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer for women in B.C., yet only half of eligible women are getting regular mammograms.
• Mammograms can usually detect lumps two to three years before a woman or her primary care provider can feel them.
• Research has shown a 25 per cent reduction in deaths from breast cancer among women who screen regularly.
• BC Cancer’s Breast Screening Program was the first of its kind in Canada, and celebrated its 30th anniversary in July 2018.
editorial@accjournal.ca
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