Breast screening centres
How to get screened for breast cancer.
Overview
Hospitals and diagnostics facilities that are not part of the Ontario Breast Screening Program provide screening mammography services for women of all ages. These breast screening centres require you to have a referral from your family doctor or nurse practitioner.
Clinical guidelines recommend regular mammograms (breast x-rays) to enable early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
Services
Mammograms
When to use this option
If you are a woman:
- over 50 with an average risk for breast cancer, you should have a mammogram every 2 years
- under 50 and your family doctor or nurse practitioner has requested that you be screened for breast cancer
Referrals
You will need a referral from your family doctor or nurse practitioner.
Appointments
Contact the Breast Screening Centre nearest you to make an appointment.
Fees
There is no fee for this service.
Please bring your health card to your appointment.
Other options
The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) does not require a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner to provide screening for women aged 50 and over who are at average risk for breast cancer.
Women aged 30 to 69 that have been identified as high risk a physician or nurse practitioner can also access screening services at an OBSP location with a referral.