{"id":8675,"date":"2024-08-19T20:23:55","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T00:23:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pockethealthqa.wpengine.com\/?p=8675"},"modified":"2025-10-20T09:24:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T13:24:17","slug":"ontario-breast-screening-program-obsp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pockethealth.com\/patient-resources\/ontario-breast-screening-program-obsp\/","title":{"rendered":"Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP): Benefits, Eligibility Criteria and More"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the world\u2019s most common cancer diagnosis. In Canada alone, almost 28,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. But due to a strong screening protocol, they also have very high survival rates.<\/p>\n

Breast screening tests, including mammograms<\/a>, can identify cancer long before most symptoms are felt. The earlier cancer is caught, the less disruptive and more successful treatment will be. Most provinces and territories have breast screening programs which allow women to self-refer for mammograms. In this article, we’ll discuss the\u00a0Ontario Breast Screening Program: what it offers, how eligibility works, the benefits of regular screening and what follow-up treatment might entail.<\/p>\n

With PocketHealth<\/a>, you can access your mammogram imaging results as soon as they\u2019re approved for release by the hospital or imaging clinic. This allows you the opportunity to review your results and prepare questions ahead of your follow-up visit. To help you better understand your mammogram results<\/a>, PocketHealth provides clear definitions and illustrations for complex medical terms\u2014plus an in-depth explanation of your full imaging report. This is paired with highlights of key anatomy in your imaging to help you better comprehend what you’re looking at.<\/p>\n

PocketHealth’s breast health tools provide patients with personalized breast cancer risk assessments and simplified mammogram management. Designed to increase early detection of breast cancer, these tools enable patients to take control of their breast health. Learn more about PocketHealth\u2019s\u00a0breast health tools here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"pocket<\/p>\n

What is the Ontario Breast Screening Program?<\/h2>\n

The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP)<\/a> is a provincially funded health screening program designed to make the regular practice of breast screening faster, simpler and more widespread. OBSP tests people at both high and average risk for developing breast cancer.<\/p>\n

The screening test is a mammogram, a specialized X-ray which captures images of breast tissue between two plates. The OBSP provides these mammograms free of charge and does not require a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner if you meet the eligibility requirements. Patients also receive reminder notices when it\u2019s time for their next screening, usually every two years.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\t

\n\t\t\tEarly access to your Mammogram results\t\t<\/h2> \n\t<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
<\/request-search-bar><\/div>\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

 <\/p>\n

Benefits of breast cancer screening<\/h2>\n

Regular breast cancer screening<\/a> is an important preventative health care practice. Because screening mammograms check for signs of disease before any symptoms appear, they establish a baseline from which to measure any changes over time.<\/p>\n

That all-important baseline means you and your healthcare team are promptly alerted if your breast tissue shows any changes or irregularities. Early treatment means cancer has less chance of spreading and survival rates are much higher. Today, thanks to effective treatment, almost 100% of women survive Stage 1<\/a> breast cancer.<\/p>\n

\"Stat<\/p>\n

Another major benefit of regular breast cancer screening is peace of mind. With PocketHealth<\/a>, you can see your mammogram images and report, often as soon as they\u2019re released by the radiologist. For Mary, waiting for mammogram results was always nerve-wracking, but that changed when she discovered PocketHealth. Instead of anxiously waiting for a call from her doctor, she could access her images and reports online, giving her peace of mind and control over her health. You can read more about Mary\u2019s story here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Stat<\/p>\n

Eligibility for the Ontario Breast Screening Program<\/h2>\n

The OBSP recommendation<\/a> is that eligible women, Two-Spirit, trans and nonbinary people have a screening mammogram every two years. Previously the recommendation was from ages 50-74; as of fall 2024, the starting age will drop to 40<\/a>. Participants are divided into two general groups: average risk and high risk.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

If you are 30 to 69 years old and confirmed high risk<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

If you are 40 to 49 years old<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

If you are 50 to 74 years old<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

If you are over 74 years old<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr>

Doctors' referral required?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

Yes, high-risk status needs to be confirmed by a doctor or genetic counselor<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

No, you can self-refer for mammograms <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

No, you can self-refer for mammograms <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

Yes, you will need a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr>

Covered by OHIP?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

Yes, with a referral <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

Yes<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

Yes<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

Yes, with a referral <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr>

Diagnostic imaging test<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

OBSP recommends getting a mammogram with an MRI<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

Mammogram<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

Mammogram<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

Mammogram<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr>

Testing frequency recommended<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

Once a year<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

Every two years<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

Every two years<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td>

As needed<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Average risk<\/h3>\n

The average risk group is comprised of patients aged 50-74 who:<\/p>\n