Norfolk General named Ontario Breast Screening Program assessment site

Norfolk General Hospital has been named an official Ontario Breast Screening Program assessment site.

The sites provide “timely, high-quality diagnosis and follow-up for women with abnormal screens,” said a news release issued by the hospital on Wednesday. “They also provide the information and emotional support screening participants need.”

For women in the communities Norfolk General serves, the clinic means enhanced services for breast health close to home, said Dan Hill, vice president – ​​finance and chief financial officer.

“NGH has been offering mammograms to the community for over 40 years and we are proud to become an official OBSP assessment site. Evidence shows that an organized screening program can detect cancer earlier, leading to better outcomes for our patients.

“And patients coming to NGH for a mammogram can expect to be met with the most caring and compassionate teams that will help them throughout the entire process.”

The Ontario Breast Screening Program is a Cancer Care Ontario initiative dedicated to providing routine breast screening services for women age 50 to 74. Breast screening is the routine examination of breasts using mammography to assess health and detect early cancer.

It is recommended women in this age group have a mammogram every two years as part of their routine medical care, since early detection can result in significant health benefits, including survival rates.

“Becoming an OBSP assessment site provides our patients with another layer of quality assurance that they are receiving the highest care possible,” said Dr. Naveen Parasu, chief radiologist at Norfolk General. “We know breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women, with one in eight women developing the disease at some time in their life.

“This program provides women in our community access to mammography services and ensures direct communication of their results.”

Having a mammogram at an Ontario Breast Screening Program site offers women a number of benefits, including a reminder letter when it’s time to return for the next screening mammogram; notification of screening results for both participants and primary care providers; help to set up extra tests or referrals, if needed; and the tracking of participants throughout the screening process.

According to the latest statistics from the Canadian Cancer Society, it is estimated that 28,600 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 5,500 Canadian women will die from the disease.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and, on average, 15 Canadian women will die from breast cancer every day,” said Carmen Otero, lead breast radiologist for Norfolk General. “We are glad we can offer such a vital service.”

Women can refer themselves to the program by calling 519-426-4006 or 519-429-6974 to book their mammogram screening.

Last year, Norfolk General provided more than 3,600 mammograms.

Ontario women age 30 to 69 can get screened through the High-Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program if they have a referral from their doctor, a valid OHIP number, and no acute breast symptoms.