GHC’s Diagnostic Imaging Department is home to the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP), where over 6,000 mammograms are done annually. GHC’s team of dedicated professionals is here to help patients and their families understand the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers). It is the second leading cause of death from cancer in Canadian women, second to lung cancer. It is estimated that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. However, detecting breast cancer early can lead to treatment being more effective.
It’s recommended that once women are 50 years of age, they should schedule their first mammogram and then schedule a follow-up exam every two years. However, women at a higher risk of cancer should consider annual screening.
Women who are considered high risk usually have a family member who has had breast cancer in the past, or they have a genetic mutation that puts them at higher risk for breast cancer. This is why OBSP recommends that women 30 years and older who are at higher risk for breast cancer should get screened yearly as an extra precaution.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP), facilitated through Cancer Care Ontario, is a province-wide program that provides high-quality breast cancer screening.
Breast screening is important as it leads to early detection. Screening mammography can find breast cancers when they are small and are less likely to have spread (metastasized) to the lymph nodes, resulting in a higher treatment success rate.
A mammogram is a procedure done to examine breast tissue for any signs of cancer. Once a mammogram machine has compressed the breast, an X-ray is captured of the tissue for examination.
Breast cancer does have many forms. Some signs to look out for include a lump in the breast or armpit, changes in your nipple or fluid leaking from the nipple, skin changes or redness that does not go away, or any other changes in your breasts that you’ve noticed.
GHC’s breast screening service are available to all members of the public across the Algoma District. Women 50 – 75 years of age who have no previous history of breast cancer, no breast implants, and who have not received a mammogram within the last year are eligible to self-refer for a screening.
Mammogram screening at GHC is open to the public and available to women ages 50 to 74. To book a free OBSP exam, clients must meet the age requirement (50-74), have no symptoms of breast cancer, and have no breast implants.
To book your mammogram at GHC, you do not need to be a member; our Diagnostic Imaging services are open to the public.
This is a basic screening procedure, and it’s time to put your breast health first. To book your screening appointment today, call 705-759-5657.
However, for women who do not meet the OBSP screening criteria outlined above, GHC offers Diagnostic Screening for asymptomatic women. This screening requires a physician’s referral and is available to anyone under the age of 49 or over 75 with no prior breast cancer or breast augmentation.
Patients visiting OBSP are asked to:
- Bring their Ontario Health Card/Hospital card
- Wear a two-piece outfit
- Do not wear any deodorants, creams, powders or perfumes.
“When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I made my way through the system easily and quickly. From the time I went for a routine mammogram to the time I received my diagnosis, it took less than a few weeks. This system really is patient-focused.” – Ghislaine.
Location
240 McNabb St. Sault Ste. Marie, ON.
P6B1Y5
T: 705-759-5657
Toll-Free: 1-888-240-3903
F: 705-759-5582
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday, Sunday, Holidays: Closed
