Breast Health Awareness
- October 2004
- Français
Each year in October, North America focuses in on breast cancer and breast health, but women continue to die each and every day from breast cancer. The simple truth is that some of those deaths could have been avoided. Being made aware of examination and treatment options one month a year is simply not enough.
Breast cancer is the most common female cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, reports Cancer Care Ontario. In Ontario this year, approximately 7,900 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 2,000 will die from the disease.
For those reasons, the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) was created in 1991 to provide women with easier access to mammography screening. Today, there are more than 100 OBSP centres in Ontario, and the statistics are impressive. Research shows that regular screening in women age 50 – 69 can reduce deaths from breast cancer by at least 30%. In fact, breast cancer death rates for Ontario women in this age range have decreased 29% between 1989 and 2002. Certainly cause for celebration.
But is that enough? No says Bonnie Sipos, Regional Director of Diagnostic Services for the Niagara Health System. "We have to get the message out to women that they can call directly to an OBSP Centre to make an appointment for breast screening. More women need to take advantage of the service that's available in their own community."
In Niagara, there are three OBSP Centres, at Greater Niagara General, St. Catharines General, and Welland Hospital Sites, that offer full screening services as well as follow-up diagnostics and treatment services. In the past year, the NHS has opened an affiliate or satellite clinic for OBSP in Pt. Colborne, offering nurse examination and screening mammography at Pt. Colborne General Hospital Site, and follow-up care through Welland Hospital Site. All of our screening centres are accredited through the Canadian Association of Radiologists. Appointments can be arranged by calling:
Niagara Falls OBSP - 905-358-4952
St. Catharines OBSP - 905-684-7271 ext. 6345
Welland OBSP - 905-732-5434
Port Colborne OBSP - 905-835-5842
Port Colborne's satellite clinic was originally housed between the Outpatient Clinic area and Diagnostic Imaging, making it necessary for patients to travel from one area to the other during their visit. Thanks to multi-year donations from the Country Walk for Breast Cancer, the Niagara Health System is proudly officially opening a new dedicated OBSP Clinic area on Oct. 18 at Pt. Colborne Hospital. "This area is really wonderful," says Bonnie. "We know that the women of Pt. Colborne and surrounding area appreciate the new area, and staff members are excited about delivering care in appropriate surroundings." An Open House, complete with tours of the clinic area and take-home information, is taking place Mon., Oct. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the hospital.
To complement the official opening, a Community Health Forum on Breast Health Awareness is scheduled for Tues., Oct. 19 at the Roselawn Complex, Fielden Ave., Port Colborne, 6:30 – 8 p.m. At the forum, the audience will hear from a mammography technologist and nurse examiner on what to expect when they come for an OBSP appointment. Local surgeons will also give presentations on treatment options if cancer is detected, and Regional Niagara Public Health will help drive home the message with information on breast health.
The forum, one in a series, is open to everyone and there is free admission. Speakers are:
- General Surgeon Dr. Fady Moustarah
- General Surgeon Dr. Piotr Koziarz
- Regional Director Diagnostic Services Bonnie Sipos
- Manager Diagnostic Services Arlene Lessard
- OBSP Nurse Examiner Debra Hummell
- Mammography Technologist Gina Emrich
- Regional Niagara Public Health Nurse Ruth Bakker