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BC Cancer’s Breast Screening Program is about to undergo a change that will help women stay more informed regarding their own health.
Starting in mid-October, breast density information will be sent to B.C. women and their care providers following a mammogram.
Breaking News: BC will be the first province to share breast density results with all women following mammograms: https://t.co/afdzSktpbl via @BCCancer @densebreastscdn @adriandix @PHSAofBC #breastcancer #cancerscreening #breastdensity #breastscreening #cancer #endcancer pic.twitter.com/lCz5FBrfzI
— BC Cancer (@BCCancer) September 21, 2018
"Sharing breast density results directly with all women will better inform and support them in monitoring their breast health," said Adrian Dix, minister of health.
"Thirty years ago, B.C. was the first province in the country to develop an organized, provincial breast cancer-screening program, and we're continuing to lead in this area by being the first to share breast density information directly with all women and their health-care providers as part of their breast screening results."
This change makes B.C. the first province in Canada to report these kind of results directly to all women.
Previously, breast density information was only available by request through the Breast Screening Program.
"Better access to breast density information is an important step for women's health, and we want to acknowledge the advocacy of the many individual women and organizations that have shared their stories and supported this change," said Mitzi Dean, parliamentary secretary for gender equity.
"The more we know, the more we are empowered to manage our own health and have informed conversations with our care providers."
This move is one of three key recommendations made following an external review by Dr. Andy Coldman, an emeritus scientist in the cancer control research department at UBC and the BC Cancer Research Centre.