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Health and Community Services
April 27, 2012

Breast Screening Program Expanded

The Breast Screening Program is being expanded in existing sites to include women aged 40-49 who are referred by their primary health care provider to the program. Through Budget 2012: People and Prosperity – Responsible Investments for a Secure Future, $508,600 is being invested to accommodate for the expected uptake of the program, as well as for the purchase of a new mammography unit for James Paton Memorial Hospital in Gander.

The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services, was joined by the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and MHA for Gander; and Karen McGrath, Chief Executive Officer of Central Health, for today’s announcement in Gander.

“Our government takes the issue of cancer, especially breast cancer, very seriously. The expansion of the Breast Screening Program is continuing our focus set out in the Cancer Control Policy Framework,” said Minister Sullivan. “I am sure for many women, the expansion of this program will bring an extra level of comfort as they continue to manage and look after their own health. I also hope that this initiative will bring greater awareness to other women and encourage them to have a discussion with their primary care provider if they have questions or concerns about their own breast health.”

The Breast Screening Program is offered in St. John’s, Gander and Corner Brook. Women who participate in the program are provided with a mammography, physical examination of the breast by a nurse, and education about breast health awareness. Women aged 50-69 can self-refer to the program. With the expansion of the program, women aged 40-49 can now be referred to the program by their primary health care provider.

“The expansion of the Breast Screening Program and the new mammography unit for James Paton Memorial Hospital are very good investments in the health of women in our province,” said Minister O’Brien. “There are very few people who have not been impacted in some way by cancer. Providing greater opportunities to prevent or detect cancer will lessen the impact that this disease has on our families, communities and province.”

There are currently 16 mammography units located throughout the province. In 2008, the Provincial Government committed $10.9 million for 12 new digital mammography units which provide the best imaging technology available for breast screening.

“We are pleased to partner with the Provincial Government to bring this new mammography unit to Gander to support the expansion of the breast screening program in the central region,” said Ms. McGrath. “We know that prevention and early detection increases the likelihood for positive patient outcomes so we are very happy to expand the breast screening service.”

In November 2010, the Cancer Control Policy Framework was released with the focus of the strategy aimed at reducing the incidence and impact of cancer and to improve the quality of life of those living with cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador. In addition, in June 2011, the Provincial Cancer Control Advisory Committee was established to advise the Minister of Health and Community Services on priorities for action and progress, development and implementation of the provincial cancer control strategy.

“We want to ensure that the decisions we make regarding breast screening are based on the sound advice of experts,” said Minister Sullivan. “We have listened to the advice of the Cancer Control Advisory Committee, which consists of medical professionals, community leaders and cancer survivors, and are moving forward with this important change in policy. Our Budget 2012 announcement is based on their advice and it ensures women will have the opportunity to make an informed choice, in consultation with their primary health care provider, before taking part in a routine screening program.”

Including Budget 2012 investments, the Provincial Government has invested over $140 million in cancer treatment and prevention since 2004. This includes approximately $43 million to respond directly to the recommendations put forth by the Commission of Inquiry on Hormone Receptor Testing Report.

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Media contacts:

Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 699-6524
JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca
Paula Norman
Executive Assistant to the
Honourable Kevin O’Brien
MHA for Gander
709-729-4753
paulamnorman@gov.nl.ca 

Stephanie Power
Director of Communications
Central Health
709-256-5532
stephanie.power@centralhealth.nl.ca 
 

2012 04 27             12:45 p.m.

 
 
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