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

When Jeanine Hurst was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago, her reaction was simply shock.

“I never thought it would happen to me. I eat well, don’t smoke and live a healthy lifestyle, and there I was, with cancer,” recalls Hurst, a 62 year old retired federal public servant.

With a career that required frequent traveling and living abroad, Hurst did not have the opportunity to get regular mammograms. But after retiring and settling in Peachland, one of the first things she did was to make an appointment with the BC Cancer Agency’s Screening Mammography Program (SMP).

“I feel lucky I went for a mammogram and was able to catch the disease early,” says Hurst, who underwent surgery and radiation and is now cancer-free. “I now get screened regularly.”

Hurst is one of many women to have benefited from the SMP since its inception on July 18, 1988. Since giving its first screening mammogram 20 years ago, the SMP has gone on to perform more than four million examinations. Last year, the SMP screened over 277,000 BC women. Regular screening mammograms have shown to reduce the death rate from breast cancer by 24 percent in the province.

“One in nine B.C. women is at risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime and the Screening Mammography Program is one of the most effective tools we have for early detection of breast cancer in B.C.,” said Kelowna-Mission MLA Sindi Hawkins on behalf of Health Services Minister George Abbott. “Early detection allows us to provide patients with more treatment options and to offer those affected with breast cancer the best chance of recovery.”

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

“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.

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 Interior Health region, BC Cancer Agency’s SMP centres are located in:

• Cranbrook (1.800.663.9203)
• Kamloops (250.828.4916)
• Kelowna (250.861.7560)
• Penticton (250.770.7573)
• Vernon (250.549.5451)
• Williams Lake (1.800.663.9203)

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.

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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