The provincial breast screening program is experiencing an increase in the number of Island women being screened each year, says Norah Smith, Coordinator of the Prince Edward Island Breast Screening Program.
“More and more Island women are being screened for breast cancer each year,” said Smith. “While breast cancer remains the most common form of cancer among women, there is greater awareness of both the disease and the importance of early detection. Investments in the breast screening program have enabled us to accommodate the growing demand for breast screening appointments.”
In 2009, 7,579 women were screened for breast cancer. In 2011, 10,054 Island women were screened for breast cancer.
The current wait time for new breast screening appointments is five months compared to the twelve-month wait time in 2010. Women already in the breast screening program are rescreened annually or bi-annually based on the recommendation of their radiologist. Women with presenting symptoms of breast cancer or in urgent situations are screened for breast cancer within two weeks of physician referral.
To further the continuum of breast cancer care, which includes diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment support, the PEI Breast Screening Program partners with various health care services and organizations who have an expertise that assists and supports breast cancer patients and survivors.
“It is important for us to look at the full spectrum of breast cancer care in order to be able to offer the best care to Island women. Partnerships with other health care services and organizations allows us to do that,” added Smith. “Breast cancer care is about more than treating the disease itself, it’s also about providing access to supports and programs that can assist breast cancer patients and their families along their cancer care journey.”
Through a partnership with the Prince Edward Island Breast Cancer Information Partnership (PEIBCIP), a program was established and specifically tailored for breast cancer survivors to manage lymphedema. Lymphedema, the swelling of a body part due to the accumulation of fluid associated with the removal of a lymph node, affects five to ten per cent of breast cancer survivors who have had breast cancer surgery as part of their treatment plan.
Since 2009, 122 breast cancer survivors with lymphedema have been referred to the program to receive the necessary expert care to manage their condition.
For more information on the provincial breast screening program, please visit www.gov.pe.ca/go/breastscreening.
For more information on the Prince Edward Island Breast Cancer Information Partnership and upcoming information sessions on lymphedema for breast cancer survivors, please visit www.peibcip.ca.
BACKGROUNDER:
Since 2009, several enhancements to the provincial breast screening program have been made, including the installation of three new digital mammography units (two at the QEH and one at PCH), implementation of a centralized booking system and phone number, and the addition of four positions to help support the program.
The Prince Edward Island Breast Cancer Information Partnership (PEIBCIP) is comprised of members representing various organizations involved with breast cancer in Prince Edward Island. Members work together to ensure easily accessible, reliable, and up-to-date information about the early detection, treatment and follow-up care of breast cancer is available to those affected by breast cancer in Prince Edward Island.