First provincial program of its kind in Canada has contributed to B.C.’s favourable outcomes for breast cancer

VANCOUVER – 20 years ago today, Jean Orr, a 78 year old retired ballet dancer, became the first woman in B.C. to receive a screening mammogram from the BC Cancer Agency’s Screening Mammography Program (SMP).

“You can’t wait until something bad happens. It’s very important to be proactive in taking care of your own body,” says Orr. “After getting my first mammogram, two of my colleagues and I created a buddy system, and over the next 12 years, the three of us made it a regular event to get screened together.”

“I had a scare after finding a lump in my breast when I was carrying my fourth child. Thankfully, it was benign,” recalls Orr, a proud mother of six, grandmother to 19 and great-grandmother to two. “This incident served as another reminder of the importance of regular screening mammograms. I continue to get checked, and I encourage all women to do the same.”

Since giving its first screening mammogram on July 18, 1988, the SMP has gone on to perform more than four million examinations. Last year, the SMP screened over 277,000 B.C. women. Regular screening mammograms have shown to reduce the death rate from breast cancer by 24 percent in the province.

“Breast cancer is the most common life-threatening cancer among women in B.C. and the Screening Mammography Program is an important way to assist B.C. women in monitoring their breast health,” said West Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA Joan McIntyre, on behalf of Health Services Minister George Abbott. “Survival rates are high with the early detection of breast cancer and we want to ensure that all B.C. women are aware of the importance of regular screening.”

The SMP collaborates closely with regional health authorities, including Vancouver Coastal Health, and community partners, to ensure that eligible women, no matter where they live, can access screening mammography.

“It is through the hard work of committed Agency staff and our partners in the community that we have been able to run such a successful program over the last 20 years,” says Dr. Andy Coldman, Vice President of Population Oncology, BC Cancer Agency. “It is important that all eligible women take advantage of this program so that we can continue to reduce breast cancer mortality through early detection.”

Over the last two decades, the SMP has taken strides to improve the program and increase participation rates. For example, to reach out to diverse communities across the province, the SMP created new education brochures in Chinese and Punjabi languages. To help reduce the anxiety faced by women with an abnormal mammogram, SMP introduced "Fast Track” – a province-wide program to reduce the time between an abnormal screen and diagnosis.

The SMP is also piloting a program to fund First Nations women residing in communities inaccessible by road to travel to a fixed or mobile centre for screening mammography. The SMP recently transported women from Klemtu to the Bella Bella mobile service by air.

SMP has 37 fixed locations and three mobile services covering more than 150 communities across B.C. Women aged 40 to 79 can book an appointment for a free mammogram directly, without a doctor’s referral, by calling 604-660-3639 or 1-800-663-9203.

In the Vancouver Coastal Health region, BC Cancer Agency’s SMP centres are located in:

• North Vancouver (604.903.3860)
• Powell River (1.800.663.9203)
• Richmond (604.244.5505)
• Vancouver at the BC Women’s Health Centre (604.775.0022)
• Vancouver at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital (604.877.8388)
• Vancouver at 5752 Victoria Drive (604.321.6770)
• Vancouver at #505 – 750 W. Broadway (604.879.8700)

The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency.

- 30 -

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Jinny Wu
Communications Specialist
BC Cancer Agency
Tel: 604.877.6272

Pgr: 604.806.2338
Toll-free: 1.800.663.3333, ex 6272
jwu2@bccancer.bc.ca