About the OBSP

Organized screening programs, such as the OBSP, provide important benefits, including the ability to do the following:

• invite women to participate in screening
• remind participants when it is time for their next screening test
• notify participants of screening results
• track participants throughout screening processes
• evaluate program quality and performance

Local OBSP Screening Site Location:

Weeneebayko General Hospital

19 Hospital Drive, P.O. Box 664

Moose Factory ON P0L 1W0

Telephone: 705-658-4544, ext.2305

Website: www.weeneebaykohealth.ca

Mammograms are safe.  Mammograms use a low dose of radiation.  The benefits of screening and finding cancer early are more important than any potential harm from the X-ray.

www.cancercare.on.ca

It is recommended that women talk to their healthcare provider about regular breast screening.

Regular mammograms, for women 50 - 74, are the best way to reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer.

If you are age 50 or older, you can make your own appointment with the Ontario Breast Screening Program, call 1.800.668.9304.

The OBSP recommends that all women be breast aware. Breast awareness means knowing how your breasts normally look and feel and knowing what changes to look for:

• a lump or dimpling,
• changes in your nipple or fluid leaking from the nipple,
• skin changes or redness that does not go away,
• any other changes in your breasts.

Most breast changes are not cancerous, but you should have these changes checked by your family doctor or nurse practitioner.

A healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of breast cancer:

• Avoid alcohol or have no more than one alcoholic drink per day.
• Limit your time on hormone replacement therapy, if used. Talk with your family doctor or nurse practitioner before making any changes to your medication.
• Maintain a healthy body weight, especially after menopause.
• Be physically active as part of everyday life.

Screening tests are not perfect and cancers may be missed.

• Screening may miss some breast cancers. Also, some cancers develop in the time between screens. These are among the reasons that regular screening is important.

• Most women’s breasts are tender the week before and after their period. Book your mammogram for a time when your breasts are not so tender.
• Some women take a mild pain relief pill, such as the kind you would take for a headache, about one hour before the appointment. Only do this if it will not affect any other medicines or any health concerns you may have.
• Some experts suggest having less caffeine for two weeks before the appointment to help reduce tenderness.