Northwestern Ontario women are getting the breast screening message, but the numbers still have room to improve, says the manager of screening programs at Regional Cancer Care Northwest.
On Friday Lori Della Vedova was parked at Intercity Shopping Centre in the mobile breast screening bus, part of an annual challenge designed to encourage at least 150 women 50 and older to undergo a high-definition mammography.
“A lot of our population in Northwestern Ontario does get screened through our program, but we know that there are many women who are eligible who are not participating,” Della Vedova said. “So between 65 and 70 per cent are participating, but that means there are others who are eligible who are not.
“It’s important to get screened regularly. That’s the key.”
It was one of six sites across the region, including four in Thunder Bay, for women to get tested, the third year of the challenge.
They hit their goal the past two years, Della Vedova said.
“It helps create awareness. We know that breast screening saves lives. One in nine women in Ontario will be affected with cancer. To have regular breast screening, if you can catch something early, obviously treatment can begin and that increases survival rates,” she said.
The need is even greater in this part of the province, where 65 in every 100,000 women will be affected by the disease, compared to 64 in 100,000 elsewhere in the province. But the gap is growing, with 2015 projections showing NWO’s number increasing to 70 in the next four years, but only up two in the rest of Ontario.
According to statistics provided by Regional Cancer Care, Northwestern Ontario women also have higher rates of poor lifestyle habits, factors which lead to higher incidences of breast cancer diagnoses.
“We don’t get enough exercise. We don’t eat our fruits and vegetables as much as other areas Ontario. We might drink a little bit more, so it’s monitoring alcohol intake, not smoking and exercising more,” Della Vedova said.
She speculated there are a number of reasons why women don’t get screened as often as they should, if at all.
Regional Cancer Care has tried to eliminate one of the main factors, accessibility, by taking the bus on the road throughout Northwestern Ontario for six months each year.
But they can only screen the people who come out, it’s not mandatory, she said, and not every woman wants to get screened.
The reasons are plentiful, but often boil down to a single one.
“Sometimes women are afraid to get a mammogram. We try to help alleviate those fears and anxieties by saying it’s better to come and get the screening. We know that breast screening saves lives. We have experienced staff who know how to alleviate your anxiety.
“The actual exam is short and you have peace of mind after that. But some people just don’t make it a priority. They might not be afraid to come, they just don’t make it a priority. And we’re encouraging people to take charge of their own health, be their own advocate,” Della Vedova said.
The mobile bus will remain at Intercity on Friday until 8 p.m. Drop in patients can also go to CML Imaging at the Port Arthur Health Centre until 8 p.m. Appointments are also available at the Linda Buchan Centre at the hospital.
