Halton Healthcare Services’ three community hospitals will now be part of the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP), providing high-quality breast cancer screening for women aged 50 to 74 years.

The Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) and Milton District Hospital (MDH) were both established as new OBSP screening sites in July. Georgetown Hospital, already an OBSP site, was also elevated to an assessment centre.

“We are very excited about being approved as OBSP sites at MDH and OTMH,” explained Dr. Jillian Feberwee, lead radiologist for women’s imaging at HHS. “This designation allows us to expand and further enhance our program in line with our patient-centred care philosophy.”

Women are able to self-refer to an OBSP centre and will receive their results within two weeks of their screening appointment.

The Canadian Association of Radiologists accredits OBSP sites and the program requires stringent timelines if further testing such as a biopsy is required.

Patients will also be sent with a reminder letter when it’s time to return for their next screening mammogram. If needed, the centre will follow up and help patients book extra tests or referrals.

Patients at the Georgetown assessment site are assigned a caregiver, serving as a point of contact and advocate throughout their entire assessment process.

Feberwee said approximately 10 per cent of women who undergo breast cancer screening are called back for further tests and follow-up.

“Becoming an OBSP Assessment Centre provides our patients with yet another layer of quality assurance that they are receiving the highest care possible,” she said. “It ensures a timely, high-quality diagnosis and follow-up, along with patient education and emotional support.”

Georgetown Hospital has been affiliated with OBSP as a screening site since 2002 and provided 2,132 OBSP screening visits in 2013/2014.