One in nine (11%) Canadian women are expected to develop breast cancer during their lifetime - this means by the age 90. But there has been a significant improvement in survival rates for women with breast cancer since the mid-1980s, largely due to improvements in screening and treatment.
Breast screening is the regular examination of a woman’s breasts to detect breast cancer at an early stage.
Two common methods of breast screening in Canada are:
Clinical breast examination
A clinical breast examination is a physical examination of the breasts by a health care provider. A trained professional may detect changes in the breast that are difficult to detect on your own. A clinical breast exam can be performed for women of all ages. It is often part of a yearly physical examination.
Screening mammography
A screening mammogram is a low dose x-ray of the breast, taken on a regular basis.
The majority of breast cancer occurs in women age 50 and older. Research has shown that regular screening mammograms are very effective at detecting breast cancer for women age 50 – 69.
All of the provinces and territories in Canada offer screenings for women age 50 – 69. The eligibility for women outside of this age group varies from province to province and may require a doctor's referral. You should contact the program in your region for the most up-to-date information.
Screening guidelines for women under 50 and women over 70 vary by province and territory. If you belong to either of these age groups, contact your doctor or your local screening program to determine the guidelines in your region.
If you are outside the age range, or can’t get access your local organized screening program, you can still ensure you receive a good quality mammogram by going to a place that has been accredited by the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) Mammography Accreditation Program.
MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THE CANADIAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION http://www.cbcf.org/en-US/home.aspx