
Most women, Two-Spirit people, trans people, and non-binary people ages 40-74 are eligible for breast cancer screening if they:
- Are a resident of Ontario with a valid Ontario Health card
- are 40 – 74 years of age
- have no acute breast symptoms (e.g. no masses, no breast discharge)
- have no personal history of breast cancer, have not had a mastectomy
- have not had a screening mammogram in the last 11 months
- have used feminizing hormones for at least five years in a row if transfeminine.
It is recommended that eligible people between 50-74 get screened with a mammogram every two years.Eligible participants between ages 40-49 are encouraged to make an informed decision about whether to get screened for breast cancer by speaking with a primary care provider or a Health811 navigator.
Ontario Brest Screening Program (OBSP) sites help people with an abnormal screen to move through the diagnostic phase. The program is free of charge and accessible without a referral from a healthcare provider. Screening results through the OBSP are shared with the person being screened and their health care provider. The OBSP will also set up extra tests or referrals if necessary.
Weeneebayko General Hospital has been an Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) site since 2008.
To book an appointment, call the Weeneebayko General Hospital Diagnostic Imaging department at 705-658-4544 ext. 2305.
High risk Ontario Breast Screening Program (offered at Timmins District Hospital)
We work with Timmins and District Hospital (TDH) to provide clients in the Hudson Bay and James Bay region access to TDH’s Rapid Breast Assessment Clinic. This allows WAHA clients being examined for breast disease to receive a diagnosis usually within four to six.
Women, Two-Spirit people, trans people and non-binary people ages 30 to 69 are eligible for screening through the High-Risk OBSP if they have a referral from their primary care provider, a valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) number, no breast cancer symptoms and meet the following criteria:
- Known carriers of a pathogenic or likely pathogenic gene variant (e.g., BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PALB2) that increases their risk for breast cancer
- People who have had genetic counselling because they are a first-degree relative of a carrier of a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant
- People previously assessed by a genetics clinic as having a 25% or greater lifetime risk for breast cancer based on personal and family history
- Have had radiation therapy to the chest to treat another cancer (e.g., Hodgkin lymphoma) before age 30 and at least eight years ago
- A personal or family history of a cancer suggestive of a hereditary breast cancer syndrome
- People with an identified pathogenic or likely pathogenic gene variant that is associated with breast cancer risk in a close blood relative
People with a personal history of breast cancer and/or breast implants may get screened through the High-Risk OBSP if they meet program eligibility criteria. To learn more about HR OBSP and eligibility, visit Cancer Care Ontario.
People who think they may be at high risk should visit their primary care provider for a referral to the High Risk OBSP. Referrals will be based on specific criteria, such as genetics and family or medical history. The OBSP recommends that people in the high-risk program get a mammogram with an MRI or ultrasound every year.
Primary care providers can fax completed high-risk requisition forms to TDH HR OBSP at 705-266-2575.
For additional information visit: Cancer Care Ontario