Women at high risk for breast cancer can now get an annual breast screening MRI and a mammogram at Etobicoke General Hospital.
Women who believe they may be at high risk can visit their family doctor for a referral to the Ontario Breast Screening Program. If a doctor identifies a woman as being potentially at high risk, she will be referred for genetic assessment by the program to confirm her risk status.Women ages 30 to 69 are eligible for high-risk screening if they have: a genetic marker found through genetic testing; a first-degree relative of someone with a genetic marker; family history of hereditary breast cancer syndrome or if they are patients who received chest radiation treatment before the age of 30.Cancer Care Ontario reports breast cancer is the most common cancer in women.Ontario has one of the highest survival rates for breast cancer in the world, with nearly 90 per cent of women surviving the disease, Cancer Care Ontario reports.Yet, more than half a million women eligible for Ontario's Breast Cancer Screening Program are not getting screened, the government agency said."Close to 9,000 Ontario women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. But the good news is that today, 88 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer will survive the disease," Dr. Linda Rabeneck, vice-president of prevention and cancer control with Cancer Care Ontario said in a statement."With appropriate screening and early detection that number can only increase. We encourage all eligible women in Ontario to take control of their health and get screened."The Ontario government recently expanded its Ontario Breast Screening Program to include women at high risk to help encourage early detection through screening.The government selected William Osler Health System to provide breast assessment and specialized high-risk breast screening programs. The hospital organization includes Etobicoke General and Brampton Civic hospitals.A nurse navigator will help women schedule regular screenings and access any additional services or programs needed.Osler officials confirmed they will continue to provide breast cancer screening for women ages 50 to 74 who are at average risk for breast cancer, in addition to the expanded screening for high-risk women ages 30 to 69. Breast cancer screening is recommended as a necessary part of a regular check-up for women ages 50 to 74.Women ages 50 to 74 who are not at high risk, can call William Osler Health System at 905-494-6688 to make an appointment since a physician's referral is not needed in that age group.Cancer Care Ontario encourages women to see their family doctor to discuss what breast cancer screening option is best for them.Ontarians may also visit ontario.ca/screenforlife and complete the "Time to Screen" tool to find out when is the right time for them to get screened.