Bluewater Health is highlighting the importance of early detection during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, as screening eligibility expands to those in the 40-49 age bracket.
As of October 8, eligible patients can complete an online self-referral through Bluewater Health's website and a mammography screening will be booked via email. Appointments can also be booked by calling (519) 464-4400 extension 4515.
The mammograms are covered under the Ontario Breast Screening Program.
Bluewater Health Medical Director of Diagnostic Imaging and Erie St. Clair Regional Breast Cancer Imaging Lead Dr. Youssef Almalki said breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, affecting one in eight women.
"The 40 to 49-year-old cohort accounts for 13 per cent of breast cancers in Ontario," he said. "So, it's really important to screen in this age group because early screening increases the chance of survival and catching it late actually has a very poor prognosis with actually only one in five women surviving past five years."
It's recommended that women get a "baseline" mammogram and have follow-ups every one to two years, depending on their health needs. Almalki also suggested women discuss their family histories with their loved ones.
While early detection is crucial, Almalki said screening is for asymptomatic people.
"Screening is like having maintenance on your car that you can do regularly, it's not when your car breaks down that you come for screening," he said. "For this, a screening, your future self will thank you because it's supposed to catch it before you have any symptoms so it's when it's really small, and we're talking millimetres."
Those experiencing symptoms such as a palpable lump or bloody discharge, should contact a primary care provider as those cases are prioritized, said Bluewater Health.
Almalki said the average screening takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
"Usually, most women will have a normal mammogram at screening. If there's something wrong on the mammogram, that doesn't mean you have cancer, it just means that you need extra testing," he said. "Most of the time, that extra testing shows that there's nothing wrong."
If results do come back as cancer, Almalki said it's typically caught early and treatment can begin thereafter.
Almalki also noted how the hospital has the necessary equipment for breast screening and diagnosis.
"We have state-of-the-art equipment and that couldn't happen without the support of the community through the Bluewater Health Foundation," he said. "Really thankful to them and there are lots of events happening in October and hopefully people will partake in those and contribute to Bluewater Health Foundation."
The foundation will host a Brews for Breasts fundraiser at Refined Fool on London Road on October 2, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Doors prizes and 50/50 draws will be held at the event.
However, from 3 p.m. until close, 15 per cent of all food, beverage, and merchandise sales will go toward mammography at Bluewater Health.