Breast screening access expands to over a million Ontario women in their 40s

Women in Ontario between 40 and 49 can now book their own breast screening mammogram appointments online. The move is part of an effort to detect breast cancer in its early stages and means more than one million more women will have the option to get screened for breast cancer earlier.

"Unfortunately, we do see breast cancer happen in younger women who are in that age category and we know that earlier detection leads to better chance of survival and cure. So before having access to screening, they would present later on in their disease course, at which point in time treatment may be more limited," said Dr. Cory Ozimok, a diagnostic radiologist with Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie.

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The previous minimum age for self-referral in Ontario was 50. The province said the changes will reflect the research showing early detection can save lives.

In 2018, former CTV Barrie news anchor Jayne Pritchard was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and publicly shared her battle and recovery with the public through her book 'Breast Cancer After The Diagnosis.'

Jayne Pritchard shares her journey in her new book, Breast Cancer After the Diagnosis, One Woman's Story of Overcoming Setbacks.

Pritchard said the expanded age would give women more freedom to book an appointment to be checked.

"I truly believe that mammograms can save lives, so if younger women - I'd hate to see younger women faced with a similar situation. But if they are, isn't it better to know what you have and to deal with it because the outcome could be much more positive," said Pritchard.

Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre will expand appointment access in two phases, adding 68 weekly appointments to support the anticipated increase in bookings.

Women wishing to make breast screening appointments can contact the Ontario Breast Program at 1-800-668-9304 or the Simcoe Muskoka Cancer hotline at 1-866-608-6910.