Canadian Cancer Society congratulates the Ontario Breast Screening Program on
20 years of saving lives

Sharing one woman's story and passing on the message that mammograms save lives to almost 50,000 women in Ontario

TORONTO, Sept. 28 /CNW/ - The Canadian Cancer Society congratulates Cancer Care Ontario on the 20^th anniversary of the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP).

To mark this milestone and Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Canadian Cancer Society in Ontario is partnering with the Ontario Breast Screening Program to pass on the message to almost 50,000 women in Ontario that mammograms save lives.

The Society is contributing 46,000 Thingamaboob breast cancer screening awareness tools to OBSP sites across Ontario. The Canadian Cancer Society Thingamaboob shows women the different sized lumps that can be found by various breast screening methods - including mammograms, physical exams by healthcare professionals, and women checking their own breasts. Women who book an OBSP mammogram during the month of October will receive a free Thingamaboob while supplies last.

"The introduction of the Ontario Breast Screening Program in 1990 was a significant landmark in the fight against cancer," says Sylvia Leonard, Vice President, Community Engagement, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. "We're proud to be part of the OBSP 20th anniversary celebrations by passing on the message that mammograms save lives through our Thingamaboob campaign to reduce breast cancer deaths."

In 20 years, the OBSP has screened more than 1.1 million women aged 50-69. Janice Hodgson of Newmarket was one of the more than 19,000 women who had their breast cancer detected through the OBSP. In 2004, Janice promptly booked her first OBSP appointment when she turned 50. Her mammogram detected breast cancer and Janice soon underwent a lumpectomy, radiation and other treatments.

Now healthy and cancer-free for six years, the mother of two has taken up bowling, golf, and recently walked the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon. Janice speaks publicly about her cancer experience, and uses the Thingamaboob to illustrate that regular mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early, when its most treatable.

"I am here today because my breast cancer was detected early through the Ontario Breast Screening Program," says Janice. "I encourage women 50-69 to join the Thingamaboob 'Pass it on' movement by committing to get a mammogram every two years and to pass on the life-saving message that mammograms save lives!" she adds. For more information on the Thingamaboob "Pass it on" movement, please visit www.thingamaboob.ca.

To book an appointment at the OBSP site nearest you, please call 1 800-668-9304.

Canadian Cancer Society breast cancer statistics

• In Ontario, an estimated 8,900 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and an estimated 2,100 women will die of the disease in 2010.
  
  
• In Canada, an estimated 23,200 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 5,300 will die of the disease in 2010.
  
  
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer).
  
  
• In terms of the probability of developing or dying from breast cancer, one in 9 women is expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime and one in 28 will die of it.
  
  
• Breast cancer incidence rose steadily from 1980 to the early 1990s, partly because of increased mammography screening. Breast cancer death rates have declined in every age group since at least the mid 1980s.

About the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.

For further information:

To book an interview opportunity or request a photo of the Canadian Cancer Society Thingamaboob, please contact:

Camille Beaubien, 416 323-7023, [email protected]