Regular mammogram screening makes changes in the breast easier to spot and it can find lumps two to three years before you or your doctor can feel them.
More BC women are due for their mammograms than ever before… And of those who have been screened, only half return for their regular mammograms.
Are you one of them? Do you know someone who’s due for a screening mammogram?
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there is no better time to join the Mammolanche, a movement for mammograms.
Last month,
BC Cancer’s Breast Screening Program, along with the Ministry of Health, announced that it will now include
breast density information with all screening mammogram results, starting mid-October. B.C. was the first province in Canada to develop an organized, provincial breast cancer-screening program and continues to lead by being the first to share breast density information with women who get screened. Previously, breast density information was only available by request through the BC Cancer Breast Screening Program.
“Breast density is an important issue for women in the understanding of breast cancer risk and screening,” says Dr. Colin Mar, medical director of the Breast Screening Program. “BC Cancer’s breast screening team is excited about current planning to develop the best means of educating women and health-care providers about breast density, and of sharing individual breast density results. This will allow women to better understand their breast cancer risk and how best to address it.”
- If you’re due for your mammogram, book now by calling 1-800-663-9203 or use the BC Cancer Breast Screening clinic locator to find a clinic near you.
- If you’re not due for your mammogram yet, mark your calendar to remind yourself to book.
- And please help spread the word by sharing Facebook, Instagram or Twitter posts and asking your eligible friends and family to join the Mammolanche too.
Throughout the month of October, Global TV will be airing a 30-second commercial and special public service announcement to join the Mammolanche.
Get a sneak peek here:
The BC Cancer Breast Screening Program provides free screening mammograms for eligible BC women ages 40+. A doctor’s referral is not required. The program includes 39 screening centres and three mobile mammography coaches that service more than 120 rural communities in BC. For more information, visit http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening/breast/get-a-mammogram.