Ontario Women in Their 40s Can Now Self-Refer for Mammograms Without Doctor’s Referral
Women in Ontario aged 40 and above can now book a mammogram without requiring a doctor’s referral. This new measure, which took effect on Tuesday, is part of Ontario’s initiative to improve breast cancer screening and early detection.
Lowered Screening Age to Boost Early Detection
The change follows an announcement by Health Minister Sylvia Jones last year, which lowered the self-referral age for breast cancer screenings from 50 to 40. According to Jones, this update is a significant step in increasing access to life-saving screenings.
“Breast cancer affects one in every nine women in Ontario. Early detection and timely access to treatment are crucial in saving lives,” Jones stated. She added that this move will provide care access to an additional one million women in the province.
How to Book a Mammogram in Ontario
The government expects about 305,000 women between the ages of 40 and 49 to take advantage of the self-referral option. Women can now contact any Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) location directly to book their mammogram. A comprehensive list of screening sites is available on the Ontario Health website.
To support this expanded access, the province is investing nearly $20 million to increase appointment availability and train more healthcare professionals.
High-Risk Screening Remains in Place
Ontario already provides regular mammograms and breast MRIs for women aged 30 to 69 who are considered high-risk. This includes those with a family history of breast cancer or individuals carrying genes that heighten the risk of developing the disease.
Early Detection Saves Lives
Dr. Supriya Kulkarni, president of the Canadian Society of Breast Imaging, emphasized the importance of early breast cancer detection. “This update marks a significant step in advancing women’s health and proactive cancer screening,” she said. “By allowing earlier screening, we improve the potential for early diagnosis, better treatment options, and ultimately, better outcomes.”
This initiative aligns with a draft recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which suggested lowering the screening age to 40 based on evidence that earlier screening can significantly reduce breast cancer mortality rates.
Source : www.cbc.ca