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

Twenty 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 BC women. Regular screening mammograms have shown to reduce the death rate from breast cancer by 24 percent in the province.

“It is estimated that this year in B.C., almost 3,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer,” said MLA Shirley Bond, on behalf of Health Services Minister George Abbott. “Currently, around 42 per cent of Northern British Columbian women are going for screening mammograms when it should be at least 70 per cent. Evidence shows that regular screenings are an effective tool in the early detection of breast cancer and early detection can save lives by enabling us to offer B.C. women more treatment options. We need to continue to work hard to encourage Northern women to get a mammogram.”

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

"I get the feeling of thankfulness from a majority of patients because the Screening Mammography Program is offered in so many of the smaller, rural areas. They like that the program is close to home and very accessible,” says Kathleen Jardim, technologist for the SMP centre located at the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital.

Over the last two decades, the SMP has taken strides to increase participation rates. For example, to reach women in rural areas, the SMP’s mobile van service visits northern communities twice a year. 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. To date, the SMP has transported women from Lax Kw’alaams and Kitkatla to Prince Rupert.

“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.”

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

• Dawson Creek (1.800.663.9203)
• Fort St. John (1.800.663.9203)
• Kitimat (1.800.663.9203)
• Prince George (250.565.6816)
• Prince Rupert (1.800.663.9203)
• Quesnel (1.800.663.9203)
• Smithers (1.800.663.9203)
• Terrace (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