In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program of Ontario Health, Cancer Care Ontario and Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) celebrated the third designated Breast Assessment Site within Waterloo Wellington. With this designation, CMH can now provide timely, high-quality diagnosis and follow-up for people with abnormal screens. While the assessment site technically opened in April 1, 2023. CMH has been an active OBSP Breast Screening site for almost 20 years.
“We are very pleased with our ability to offer more breast health services at our hospital. It fits our strategic goal to grow our clinical programs and offer more for the people we care for,” said Dr. Winnie Lee, Chief of Staff, Chief of Diagnostic Imaging at CMH. “It complements the many other breast health services that we offer - from screening and diagnosis to surgery and treatment - and everything in between to support their care journey.”
Communities within Waterloo Wellington can access a full complement of breast health services in Kitchener, Guelph and now Cambridge including:
- Screening mammography
- Breast ultrasound
- Diagnostic mammography
- Biopsies with image guidance
- Breast cancer localization with Magseed® - a first in the region at CMH
- Pathology – diagnoses and staging
- Cancer surgery and comprehensive breast reconstruction
- Oncology referrals
- Enhanced patient support at each site
“The opening of this third breast assessment site is a true testament to the collaborative efforts of our local health care system and its ability to offer the people of Waterloo Wellington access to the services they need,” said Jane Martin, Regional Vice President of the Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program and Vice President of Regional Programs & Clinical Support Services at Grand River Hospital. “Having CMH as a Breast Assessment Site means anyone needing to be screened or diagnosed for breast cancer can rest assured they will have that service close by. By reducing the need to travel, this site advances equitable access to breast cancer services for people that cannot travel for their care.”
Susan Grenville, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at CMH as part of the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP), marked the occasion with gratitude: “For many women it is difficult to get their mammogram. It is not the most pleasant thing to do. I actually look forward to my appointments. The consistency of coming to the hospital and seeing familiar faces provides comfort and makes the experience better. I was here late last Friday and by Saturday morning, I had an email saying my results were clear. This is a wonderful treat, when you are waiting for results. Thank you to everyone involved in my care”
The OBSP recommends that most eligible women, Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary people ages 50 to 74 get screened with mammography every two years.
People ages 50 to 74 are eligible for screening through the OBSP if they:
- have no new breast cancer symptoms
- have no personal history of breast cancer
- have not had a mastectomy
- have not had a screening mammogram within the last 11 months
- If transfeminine, have used feminizing hormones for at least five years in a row
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers). It is the second leading cause of death from cancer in Canadian women. Breast cancer can also occur in men, but it is not common.
Visit CMH’s YouTube channel to see today’s celebration (10’23”).