Ontario Breast Screening Program
The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) is a province-wide organized breast cancer screening program managed by Cancer Care Ontario that offers eligible Ontario Women the benefits of regular breast screening.
The St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton OBSP program provides high quality breast screening services using mammography for women 40+ at both the King Campus and West 5th Campus. OBSP offers important advantages for women and their primary care providers including recruitment, recall and follow-up, and ongoing quality assurance. When it is time for the next screening mammogram a reminder letter is sent out to patients (usually every 2 years).
The St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton breast imaging centres are equipped with advanced digital mammography equipment, capable of performing breast tomosynthesis and contrast enhanced mammography. These new technologies offer excellent detail, superb image quality and have been shown to improve diagnostic accuracy in women of all breast densities.
Both of our OBSP sites are accredited by the Canadian Association of Radiologists Mammography Accreditation Program.
Breast Screening Eligibility
The OBSP program is covered by OHIP and mammograms are available without a physician referral.
People ages 40 to 74 are eligible for screening without a doctor’s referral, if they:
- are a resident of Ontario
- have no breast cancer symptoms
- have no personal history of breast cancer
- have not had a mastectomy (surgery to remove breast tissue)
- have not had a screening mammogram within the last 11 months
- if transfeminine, have used feminizing hormones for at least 5 years in a row
If you are not eligible for the Ontario Breast Screening Program but are interested in breast cancer screening, discuss your options with your family doctor or nurse practitioner.
Results & Follow-up
Results of screening through OBSP are available within two weeks to both the patient and doctor. OBSP will also set up additional tests or referrals if results suggest they are needed.
Make an Appointment
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is pleased to offer the OBSP program at both our King and West 5th campuses. No doctor's referral is necessary.
King Street Campus
To book an appointment at our King Campus, please call 905-522-1155 ext. 38309.
Click here for directions to our King Campus
West 5th Street Campus
To book an appointment at our West 5th Campus, please call 905-522-1155 ext. 32899.
Click here for directions to our West 5th Campus.
We ask that you do not bring any valuables with you as the hospital cannot be responsible for lost or stolen personal items.