As a manager of a hospital diagnostic imaging department, my exposure to chronic conditions is really related to cancer either through screening or on-going surveillance to determine if the cancer is stable, progressing or has ideally gone into remission.
One of the screening programs we work with is the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP). This program was implemented in 1990. The program supports regular risk women ages 50-74 for getting a screening mammogram every two years or high-risk women aged 30-69 with a mammogram and breast MRI every year. A women is considered to be high risk if she has confirmation of a gene mutation, or a first degree relative that has the gene mutation, was exposed to chest radiation for treatment of another cancer before the age of 30 or has been reviewed at a genetic clinic and found to have a breast cancer risk of more than 25% in her lifetime (“Screening for breast cancer”).
When found early, cancers are much smaller and easier to treat, lowering the risk of dying from the cancer. Breast cancer has a very high survival rate which is good since it is one of the most common cancers Ontario women are diagnosed with each year. Unfortunately, it is thought that 1 in 8 women in Ontario will develop breast cancer during their lifetime (“Breast Cancer: facts”).
The OBSP program works to allow women to enter the program without a requisition from their doctor for the mammogram, reducing the barrier of a doctor’s visit or allowing those without a family doctor the same opportunity to access a screening tool. OBSP sends an initial invitation letter when the women turn 50 and a follow up reminder letter for their next mammogram when the two-year window is approaching. When results are normal, the women receive a summary letter of the study in the mail. The program also helps educate women by sending out information about breast cancer (“Screening for breast cancer”).
Others are working to improve screening in the under and never screened groups. Under screened means women are overdue for screening and never screened refers to those who are of age to begin screening but have yet to have a mammogram. For example, the Screen Easy program created under the Peel Regional Cancer Centre looked for ways to support the under and never screened in Peel region by creating a toll-free number that allows those to call to talk to someone in their home language to get further information and assistance to book an appointment. This program also helps provide transportation to appointments as well as supports going to cultural groups to deliver education in-order to help address the existing cultural barriers (MacKenzie & McMillen).
Cancers are much smaller and easier to treat when caught earlier, lowering the risk of dying from the cancer. Breast cancer has a very high survival rate, which is good since it is one of the most common cancers Ontario women are diagnosed with each year. Unfortunately, it is thought that 1 in 8 women in Ontario will develop breast cancer during their lifetime (“Breast Cancer: facts”). Cancer treatments costs continue to rise due to new treatments and improved access to other treatments. This has meant the doubling of costs for treating breast cancer between 2007 and 2013 (de Oliveria et al. 2013).
Early intervention creates better outcomes for a woman and greatly increases her chance to survive. Make sure you and your loved ones that qualify for this screening program get screened.
References
De Oliveria, C., Bremmer, K.E., Pataky, R., Gunraj, N., Haq, M., Chan, K., Cheung, W.Y., Hoch, J., Peacock, S., DPhil & Krahn, M. (2013). Trends in use and cost of initial cancer treatment in Ontario: A population-based descriptive study. CMAJO December 9, 2013, vol. 1 no. 4 E151-E158. Retrieved November 2 2019 from http://cmajopen.ca/content/1/4/E151.full
Screening for breast cancer (n.d.). Retrieved November 2 2019 from https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/cancer-care-ontario/programs/screening-programs/ontario-breast-obsp
Breast Cancer Testing and Prevention (2019). Ontario. Retrieved November 2 2019 from https://www.ontario.ca/page/breast-cancer-testing-and-prevention
Mackenzie, K. & McMillan, K. (n.d.). Screen Easy Program. Trillium Health Partners. Retrieved November 2 2019 from
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