Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP)

In operation since 1990, the OBSP is a province-wide organized breast cancer screening program managed by Cancer Care Ontario that offers eligible Ontario Women the benefits of regular screening¹.  The OBSP provides routine high-quality screening mammography every two years for women age 50-74 years¹.

As of 2011, the OBSP expanded to include a High Risk program with annual screening mammography and breast MRI for women age 30-69 years who are at high risk for breast cancer¹.

Women age 75 and older

Women aged 75 and older may be screened in the OPBSP and benefit from the advantages of the program, however, they are encouraged to make a personal decision about breast cancer screening in consultation with their health care provider. After age 74, women will need a requisition for each screening mammogram from their health care provider.

Correspondence campaign

Cancer Care Ontario delivers personalized invitations, test results, recommendations for follow-up and reminders to return for cancer screening through its direct-mail correspondence program.

Women over age 74 who are screened in the OBSP will receive correspondence regarding normal screening results and follow-up of abnormal results will continue to be provided to their health care provider. However, these women will not receive recall letters or invitation letters from the OBSP in the future.

Because Your Family Matters campaign - October 2016

Central East Regional Cancer Program is encouraging women to put their health and well being first by booking a mammogram today. Oct. 20 is the Day of the Mammogram for participating OBSP sites in our region, offering longer hours of operation and inviting walk-ins. 

• Here's a list of OBSP sites participating in Central East region

 
Average Risk

• OBSP Provider Guidelines 
• OBSP Provider Guidelines Summary
• Cancer Care Ontario: OBSP Site Locations

High Risk

• Referral Form: Cancer Care Ontario OBSP Requisition for High Risk Screening
• Cancer Care Ontario: OBSP High Risk Screening FAQ's for Healthcare Professionals
• Cancer Care Ontario: Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) Summary of Evidence
• Cancer Care Ontario: Introduction Changes to the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP)
• High Risk ScreeningCancer Care Ontario High Risk OBSP Screening Site Locations
• Hereditary Cancer Genetics

General Resources

• Ontario's Free Cancer Screening App
• Cancer Care Ontario - Screening Breast Ultrasound in the Average Risk Population
• Cancer Quality Council of Ontario - Breast Cancer Screening Participation
• Public Health Agency of Canada - A Decision Aid for Breast Cancer Screening

Screening Women Aged 40 to 49: The Controversy

The Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care (CTFPHC) recommends not routinely screening women aged 40 to 49 for breast cancer with mammography².   The OBSP supports and is aligned with the CTFPHC guidelines and does not routinely screen women aged 40-49 years with mammography.

Patient Resources

• Fact sheets, brochures, and videos - including multilingual and FNIM resources - available to download and print.

References:

1. Cancer Care Ontario. Ontario Breast Screening Program Information for Healthcare Providers. Toronto, Canada, 2012.
2. The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. "Recommendations on Screening for Breast Cancer in Average-risk Women Aged 40-74 Years." Canadian Medical Association Journal 183.17 (2011): 1991-2001.