North East Ontario — It is the friendly competition that encourages women to be proactive about breast health and this year, a record ten sites will rise to the challenge! The 50 Over Fifty OBSP Challenge returns to the Ontario Breast Screening Program May 5th, providing greater access to women across the North East.
With a focus on women 50 and over, who have never been screened, the objective of the 50 Over Fifty OBSP Challenge is to provide a convenient window of opportunity for busy women to overcome the barriers that have prevented them from attending breast screening in the past. Each site will set out to screen 50 women over fifty years of age, taking on other sites to see which community of motivated women can reach their goal first.
“North Bay started this event back in 2007 and the friendly spirit of cooperation has grown every year since” says Natalie Aubin, Administrative Director of the Northeast Cancer Center of Health Sciences North. “This year we are welcoming Sault Ste. Marie’s Group Health Centre and Kirkland And District Hospital to the challenge which means more northern women can take advantage of this one day special event. In addition we are collaborating with various community stakeholders to promote this event within under and never screened populations to ensure that screening is accessible by all.”
“Between 1990 and 2009, breast cancer deaths decreased by 37% for women aged 50 to 74. This decrease may be because of increased screening with mammography, better treatments and a decline in breast cancer incidence in the early 2000s” says Dr. Amanda Hey, Regional Primary Care Lead of the Northeast Cancer Centre of Health Sciences North. “Sixty one percent of Ontario women aged 50 to 74 were screened for breast cancer in 2010-2011. For a woman who is considering participating in regular breast cancer screening, she can call and make her own appointment at any time of year. The 50 Over Fifty OBSP Challenge provides that extra flexible access.”
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in females. Eight out of ten breast cancers are found in women 50 years of age or over. An estimated 9,300 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013.
“There is something about the festive nature of the day, the convenience of a walk in appointment and the spirit of friendly competition that motivates women who have never been screened before to participate in the event and make their health a priority”, notes Nicole Gauthier, Coordinator Cancer Prevention and Screening of the Northeast Cancer Center of Health Sciences North.” The past success of this event demonstrates that this unique approach works.”
To learn more about the 50 Over Fifty OBSP Challenge visit www.hsnsudbury.ca/events or follow us on Twitter using #OBSPChallenge. You can also like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HSNSudbury . To learn more about breast cancer screening, visit www.Ontario.ca/screenforlife, and complete the “Time to Screen” tool.
