Breast Cancer Screening Program

A provincial breast cancer screening program was introduced in 2004 to reduce the breast cancer death rate in Alberta by up to 30 per cent.

• Read 2004 news release and backgrounder

Common questions about the program

Why is Alberta establishing a province-wide breast cancer screening program?

• Screening mammograms can detect breast cancer when it is very small, before either a woman or her physician can feel a tumour. Early detection increases the chances of successful treatment.
• A province-wide, organized breast screening program will ensure that more Alberta women receive the benefits of regular mammography screening.

What is the program designed to accomplish?

• The program is designed to increase the number of women who have regular mammograms so that cancers are diagnosed at an earlier stage when treatment is often easier and more successful.
• The Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Program has the goal of reducing deaths from breast cancer by at least 30 per cent in Alberta women.

What group will this program target?

• The Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Program is targeting women 50–69 years old, the age group at highest risk for breast cancer. Screening is recommended at two-year intervals for women in this age group.

Can women outside the target group still get mammograms?

• Mammography screening will be provided for women in the 40–49 age group and women 69 years and older, however, these women are not routinely recruited to participate in regular mammography screening.
• Women who are 40–49 years of age should speak to their doctor first about whether screening mammograms would be beneficial for them.

How many, or what percentage of women now receive mammograms?

• In 2003/2004, approximately 160,000 Alberta women received mammography screening. Of this number approximately 55–60 per cent of mammography screening was provided to women in the target age group, 50–69 years.
• As of December 2003, there were approximately 267,000 Alberta women aged 40–49; 290,000 women aged 50–69 and 130,000 women aged 70 and older.

How will this program increase the percentage of women who receive regular mammograms?

• Health promotion and education initiatives for women and health providers about the importance of having a regular mammogram will be developed as part of the program.
• The program will actively support women to participate in screening, including many women who are typically underscreened. For example, the program will include education, community and outreach programs for “hard to reach” groups of women – such as ethnic communities for which breast health is an especially sensitive matter.

Alberta already has a breast cancer screening program called Screen Test. How will this provincial program be different?

• Alberta does not yet have a truly provincial program. Screen Test, screens approximately 15 per cent of Alberta women. The majority of mammography screening is provided through community radiology clinics.
• The Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Program will provide a co-ordinated, province-wide approach to the delivery of mammography screening services.
• All women who turn 50 will receive a letter of invitation to participate in the program. Women will receive letters that notify them of the results of their mammogram, as well as letters reminding them when their next mammogram is due.

Does this program change the way women get mammograms now?

• The way women get mammograms now will not change.
• Women will continue to receive mammograms on referral from their family physician through independent radiologists, or by booking mammograms through Alberta Cancer Board Screen Test program clinics. Women living in rural communities can receive mammograms through Screen Test mobile clinics or where available through independent radiologists.
• Mammograms are provided at no charge under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan.

Do family doctors still need to refer women for mammograms?

• Eligible women can phone and book their own appointments for a screening mammogram.
• Women who require a diagnostic mammogram to assess and determine treatment will need to be referred by their family doctor.

How do women get a mammogram if they don’t have a family doctor?

• Women without a family doctor are advised to contact their regional health authority.

Who maintains the database for this program and how will patients’ privacy be protected?

• The Alberta Cancer Board will maintain the program’s database.
• Women's privacy is rigorously protected in keeping with Alberta privacy laws. A privacy impact assessment will be prepared for the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to ensure that all women’s program information is safe and secure. Access to a woman’s breast screening information will be limited to specific, authorized individuals who will only have access to information based on their role and function in the program.

What is the data being used for? How will it benefit women?

• Information provided to the program will be used to support physicians to remind women who are overdue for a mammogram and ensure appropriate follow-up care for women who are diagnosed with cancer.
• Women will also be sent a letter to remind them if they are overdue for a mammogram.

When will this program start? When would women expect to hear about it?

• A provincial information system will be complete by spring 2005. This will include working with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to ensure that all women’s program information is safe and secure. Over the next year, public education materials will be developed to inform women of the program. Special initiatives will also be developed for hard-to-reach women – such as ethnic communities for which breast cancer is a sensitive matter.

How much will the program cost?

• It is estimated that the program will cost $22 million annually, which includes all costs for mammography screening services and program operation.

Who is administering the program?

• The Alberta Cancer Board will administer the program.
• The Alberta Cancer Board is responsible under the Cancer Programs Act for operating programs for the detection and diagnosis of cancer, as well as treatment and care of cancer patients. The operation and co-ordination of the Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Program falls within this legislated mandate.

Has such a program been established in other provinces? What benefits have other programs shown?

• Organized breast cancer screening programs have been established in nine provinces over the past 10 years. Participation by women in these programs has been shown to increase along with greater integration of care.

Why has Alberta not had a provincial screening program before?

• Alberta has provided comprehensive care for mammography screening, but not a provincial, integrated program.

Who can women call if they need more information about this program?

• More information about the Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Program is available by calling 1-866-727-3926.