Download Changes to Mammography Screening in Ontario

Changes to mammography screening in Ontario
Recent information received from Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) states that
research has demonstrated that the digital Computed Radiography (CR)
mammography technology that we currently use at the South Bruce Grey Health
Centre’s Kincardine site is “significantly less effective” at detecting breast cancer
than the digital Direct Radiography (DR) technology that is used at the Walkerton
site.
“In light of these findings and for the quality and safety of our patients who had
mammographies in Kincardine in the last two years, SBGHC is taking the
following steps immediately,” says Paul Rosebush, President and CEO:
1. Rebook all Kincardine patients currently scheduled for Kincardine site
mammograms to our Walkerton site.
2. Discontinue doing any further mammograms in Kincardine on a
temporary basis until we receive further information from Cancer Care
Ontario.
3. Contact all Kincardine mammography patients who had a mammogram
done within the past two years and offer them a screening appointment in
Walkerton.
Please note that the chance of having an undiagnosed cancer in women who
have been screened with mammography using CR is extremely low. The
decision to provide CR mammography in Kincardine was made five years ago
based on the most reliable Health Canada information available at the time and
the mammography equipment purchased at that time was considered state-ofthe-art.
“We have posted the information from Cancer Care Ontario on our website
(http://www.sbghc.on.ca/Programs___Services/Specialized_Services/Outpatient
_Clinics/Diagnostic_Imaging/Mammography),” says Kate McKague, Diagnostics
Imaging Manager. “If anyone has any concerns, they can contact me by phone
(see below) or through the Contact Us section on our website
(http://www.sbghc.on.ca/Contact_Us).”
About mammogram screening technology
Mammography is the primary test used to screen for breast cancer. Traditionally,
women were screened with screen film mammography, in which an image was
captured on, and viewed on a film. With advances in technology, digital
mammography was developed, where images of the breast were no longer
viewed on film, but were viewed and assessed on a computer screen.
There are two types of digital mammography systems that are referred to as DR
and CR.
– the image is captured and is immediately electronically processed as a
digital image.
– the image is captured within a cassette on an image plate and processed
as a digital image. An external reading device is needed to generate the digital
image. Mammography with CR technology is used nationally and
internationally, and currently accounts for 24 percent of all mammography
machines in the province of Ontario.
About the effectiveness of screening mammograms
* Mammography remains the most effective way to detect breast cancer in
average risk women.
* Mammography screening finds breast cancer earlier, leading to more treatment
options and an improved chance of survival. Breast cancer death rates for
Ontario women have decreased by 37 percent between 1990 and 2008 for
women 50 to 74 years of age. This reduction may be the result of better
treatments and increased screening with mammography.
* Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early. But, they are not
perfect:
me cancers. Also, some cancers develop in the interval
between screens. However, many studies have shown that regular
mammograms reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer.
where a woman has symptoms during her lifetime. Therefore, some women may
have surgery or treatment for a breast cancer that would never have been life
threatening.
women (88 percent) are alive and well five years after the diagnosis of breast
cancer.
****************************************************
South Bruce Grey Health Centre (SBGHC) is a hospital corporation located
across Grey and Bruce counties with a budget of in excess of $42 million.
SBGHC has four rural hospital sites located in Chesley, Durham, Kincardine and
Walkerton. Our staff of close to 400 provides high quality care and all of our sites
offer 24-hour emergency care. Other services include acute care, coronary care,
obstetrical, surgical and a full range of diagnostic and ambulatory care services.
For more information contact:
Loretta Dunn, Communications Coordinator
21 McGivern Street, Walkerton, ON N0G 2V0 Phone: (519) 370-2400 ext. 2281
Email: [email protected]
Kate McKague, Diagnostic Imaging Manager: (519) 370-2400 ext. 2393