Breast cancer screening in Canada: 2021/2022
Booking of mammograms
Mammograms are the primary screening test for breast cancer.
Provinces and territories manage booking of mammography using several strategies. Eleven jurisdictions do not require a referral from a primary care provider (PCP). NT, AB, NS, and NL assist a participant to locate a PCP if they do not have one. In most jurisdictions, booking appointments is done through local telephone numbers or toll-free calls, and programs provide information online or by letter about where screening is available.
Mobile screening is available in seven jurisdictions.
Booking of breast screening test (mammography)
| P/T | Role of PCP in access to test | Booking screening | Screening locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| YT |
· Referral not required · Person must identify a PCP · PCPs can refer participant and program will mail them their appointment time |
· Person books by calling program number · For recall screening, participant can fax in a form they are sent by mail and the program will mail them their appointment time |
· Mammograms available in Whitehorse · No mobile screening |
| NT | · Requisition from CHC required to support medical travel · Person must identify PCP when booking appt (program will refer participant to a CHC if they do not have a PCP already) |
· Person books by calling toll-free program number · Individuals requiring travel support must coordinate the appointment through their CHC |
· Screening available in Yellowknife for this program (Hay River and Inuvik also offer screening in separate programs) · No mobile screening |
| NU | · Referral from PCP required for out of territory screening. | · Screening mammograms need to be coordinated with travel taking place for another reason. | · None (diagnostic screening only) · Limited screening may be done at Qikiqtani General Hospital for individuals who match the following criteria: 1. Travelling to Iqaluit for another appointment 2. Travelling to Iqaluit as an escort for another patient 3. Travelling to Iqaluit for business or leisure 4. A referral must be made from a Nunavut licensed physician or NP 5. QGH services clients from the Baffin Region · No mobile screening |
| BC | · Referral not required · Must identify a PCP when booking screening; can be a walk-in clinic, nurse practitioner, or naturopath |
· Call central booking (toll-free) or contact local screening site directly | · Screening locations and contact information listed online and available by calling the program · Mobile screening units available |
| AB | · Referral not required · Most screening sites may require PCP be identified when booking mammogram to ensure work up · Site assists person to identify a PCP if they do not have one |
· Call screening site (local number) or mobile units directly to book appointment (participant’s choice) · Program does not book appointments centrally |
· Screening locations and contact information listed online and available by calling the program’s Client Services Line · Facility list sent with every invitation and reminder letter · Mobile screening units available |
| SK | · Referral not required · Participant encouraged to identify a PCP but can attend appointment without identifying one. |
· Person books by calling toll-free program number | · Screening locations and contact information listed online and available by calling the program · Mobile screening units available |
| MB | · Referral not required · Participant encouraged to identify a PCP, but can attend appointment while trying to find a PCP · PCPs can refer participant for screening. Program will contact person to set up the appointment |
· Call (toll-free) program (for mobile and fixed sites) | · Screening locations and contact information listed online and available by calling the program · Mobile screening units available |
| ON | · Referral not required, but PCPs, including nurse practitioners, can refer participants · Initial invitation letters sent to those not currently enrolled in the screening program with details about screening and how to book an appointment |
· If referral was sent directly to a site, the site will contact the participant to schedule an appointment · Participants can book by calling individual screening sites · Mobile coaches are linked to specific sites and appointments for mobile coaches are set up through these sites |
· Screening locations and contact information is available online or by calling the program · Participant’s recall letter also provides the phone number of the screening site where their last screen was completed · Mobile screening coaches available |
| QC | · Referral not required | · Person books by calling screening site (toll-free or local number) | · Participant provided with a list of nearby screening sites in their invitation letter · Mobile screening units available |
| NB | · Referral not required; Screening sites accept PCP referrals and then contact person with appointment time | · Call closest screening site (mostly local numbers, some toll-free) directly to book appointment | · NB Cancer Network of the Department of Health provides a list of all breast screening sites and their contact information on their website · Public may call the toll-free Cancer Screening line for breast screening clinic contact information. · No mobile screening |
| NS | · Referral from PCP not required · Participants are asked to identify PCP when booking appointment. Program will work with person to identify PCP if they do not have a PCP already. |
· Participant self-refers by calling toll-free program number. · They can choose to be screened at any of the breast screening sites (fixed or mobile). |
· There are 11 fixed breast screening sites and 30 mobile stops. · Location/address information is available on the NSBSP website, or participants can call the toll-free program number. · Mobile screening available. |
| PE | · Referral by PCP is not required | · Participant self-refers by calling toll-free program number | · Two screening locations · No mobile screening available |
| NL | · Referral not required | · Participant can book by calling program (toll-free), or by calling (local number) or visiting a local screening site · For recall screening, participants are given an appointment date and time with their result letters. A reminder letter of appointment is sent to the individual 4 weeks before upcoming appointment. |
· 3 screening centres · No mobile screening |