Mammography Changes in Ontario

Breast screening research leads to province wide changes.

An independent study led by a Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) lead research scientist examining the technology used for mammography, has found that digital direct radiography (DR) and screen film are significantly more effective than digital computed radiography (CR) at detecting breast cancer.

The study analyzed 816,232 screens of 688,418 women who were screened in Ontario from 2008 to 2009 and concluded that screening with CR could result in about 10 fewer cancers detected per 10,000 women screened.

“Based on this evidence, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has accepted Cancer Care Ontario’s recommendations to transition all mammography with CR technology to DR technology in order to maintain its commitment to continuous quality improvement to cancer screening in Ontario,” says Dr. Linda Rabeneck, Vice President of Prevention and Cancer Control, CCO. “We applaud this decision, which will ensure that women in Ontario continue to receive the highest quality care possible.”

Women can contact the clinic where they were last screened to find out what type of mammography technology they were last screened with and their choices regarding their next screening appointment (see below for a list of locations and contact information).

“It is important to note that the chance of having an undiagnosed cancer in women who have been screened with mammography using CR is extremely low, and the transition to DR is not based on any safety issues associated with CR devices,” says Dr. Rabeneck. “If women have any questions regarding their screening options, we encourage them to follow up with the clinic where they received their last mammogram. Mammography clinics in Ontario have consistently provided good quality care and are well positioned to speak to women about this change in technology.”

Clinics in the South West that offer breast mammography

Goderich

Alexandra Marine & General Hospital
(519) 524-8323 x5274

Listowel

Listowel Memorial Hospital
(519) 291-5490

London

CML Healthcare Inc. – London
(519) 661-0275

London X-Ray Associates – Bradley
(519) 672-7900

London X-Ray Associates – Central
(519) 672-7900

St. Joseph’s Health Care, London
(519) 646-6105

Owen Sound

Grey Bruce Health Services
(519) 376-8637

St. Thomas

St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital
(519) 631-2020 x2517

Stratford

Stratford General Hospital
(519) 272-8210 x2339

MIC Medical Imaging Jenny Trout
(519) 273-1721

Strathroy

Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital
(519) 246-5200

Tillsonburg

Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital
(519) 842-6335

Walkerton

South Bruce Grey Health Centre
(519) 881-1220 x2201

Woodstock

Woodstock Hospital
(519) 539-7838

For more information about this study and the changes to mammography in Ontario, please visit the Cancer Care Ontario website or call 1-800-668-9304.