Breast Cancer Screening Letters

Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) mails letters to people who qualify for screening through the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) inviting them to get screened for breast cancer, giving them information about breast cancer screening and telling them how to find an OBSP location.

We also send letters to participants ages 50 to 74 reminding them when to get screened again and telling them their result if it is normal. Normal and abnormal screening results are sent to a participant’s doctor or nurse practitioner. The breast screening sites also make sure participants get the tests they need if they have abnormal screening results.

If you are age 40 to 49, we encourage you to make an informed decision about whether breast cancer screening is right for you. You will not receive a letter inviting you to get screened. Go to Breast Cancer Screening for People Ages 40 to 49: What You Need to Know for more information and resources.

Cancer screening letters are sent in English and French. If you would like to change your preferred language, contact ServiceOntario at 1-800-268-1154.

Types of Letters

Invitation Letters

We send letters inviting people to start screening when they turn 50 years old.

Recall Letters

We send recall letters reminding average risk participants when it is time to get screened again if they qualify.

Reminder Letters

In some situations, letters are sent to remind participants about getting screened.

Normal Result Letters

We tell participants (with or without a family doctor or nurse practitioner) when they have a normal result and when to get screened again. If there is a change in your family history of cancer or you notice possible symptoms of cancer, you are asked to see your family doctor or nurse practitioner.

For information on breast density, see the Breast (Chest) Density Fact Sheet. This fact sheet is sent with all normal result letters to inform people about breast density.

Privacy Notice

The privacy notice tells you about our cancer screening programs and how your information is protected.

Samples of Letters

Invitation letter

February 16, 2024

JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

I am writing to ask you to get screened for breast cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in Ontario. Finding breast cancer early means that treatment has a better chance of working.

Because you are between the ages of 50 and 74, you are encouraged to get screened with a mammogram as part of the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP). For over 20 years, the OBSP has provided high-quality mammograms to Ontarians ages 50 to 74 through local clinics and hospitals across the province.

The best way to protect your health is by getting a mammogram every two years. A mammogram takes an X-ray picture of the breast and can find breast changes when they are too small to feel or see. You can book a mammogram appointment at your local OBSP site. To find a site, call 1.800.668.9304 or visit cancercareontario.ca/obsplocations.

Take the time to book your mammogram today.

The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) is an organized screening program that is funded by the Ministry of Health and managed by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario). We also manage cervical and colorectal cancer screening programs for Ontarians with the goal of preventing cancer or finding it earlier when there is a better chance of successful treatment.

Sincerely,

Judy Linton, RN, B.Sc.N, M.H.Sc.
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health

GET THE FACTS

Mammograms are recommended for people ages 50 to 74 years old. Even if you feel fine or no one in your family has had breast cancer, it is important to get screened.
Most people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
Most people will have normal mammogram results.
Most breast cancers are found in people age 50 and over.
Mammograms are recommended for people ages 50 to 74 who qualify to get checked for breast cancer.
Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about the benefits and limitations of screening, or visit cancercareontario.ca/breastinfo.

ABOUT THE ONTARIO BREAST SCREENING PROGRAM (OBSP)

To learn more, visit cancercareontario.ca/obsp, or contact us at cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca or 1.866.662.9233 Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

If you do not want to receive OBSP letters from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), complete the form at cancercareontario.ca/screeningletters or call us at 1.866.662.9233.

You can change your mind at any time.

HOW TO BOOK YOUR MAMMOGRAM

Book your mammogram by contacting your local OBSP site. To find a site, call 1.800.668.9304 or visit cancercareontario.ca/obsplocations.

Ontarians ages 50 to 74 do not need a healthcare provider’s referral to book a mammogram through the OBSP.

Mammograms are free of charge for Ontarians.

Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca
Document disponible en français en contactant info@ontariohealth.ca

OBSPINV0224

Recall letter – 1 year recall

February 16, 2024

JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

On behalf of Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), I would like to thank you for taking care of your health by having mammograms.

Based on our records, you are due for a mammogram because your last one was in APR/23. If you have not already done so, please call the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) site where you were last screened (OBSP SAMPLE SITE) at 222.333.4444 ext. 1 to book an appointment.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in Ontario. Because you are between the ages of 50 and 74, you are encouraged to get screened with a mammogram through the OBSP. Since 1990, the OBSP has provided mammograms to Ontarians ages 50 to 74 through local clinics and hospitals across the province.

A mammogram can find changes when they are too small to feel or see. Getting screened regularly is the best way to find breast cancer early and provides the best chance of successful treatment.

Take the time to book your mammogram today.

As an agency of the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) provides cancer screening programs to the people of Ontario.

Sincerely,

Judy Linton, RN, B.Sc.N, M.H.Sc.
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health

GET THE FACTS

Mammograms are recommended for people ages 50 to 74 years old. Even if you feel fine or no one in your family has had breast cancer, it is important to get screened.
Most people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
Most people will have normal mammogram results.
Most breast cancers are found in people age 50 and over.
Mammograms are recommended for people ages 50 to 74 who qualify to get checked for breast cancer.
Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about the benefits and limitations of screening, or visit cancercareontario.ca/breastinfo.

ABOUT THE ONTARIO BREAST SCREENING PROGRAM (OBSP)

To learn more, visit cancercareontario.ca/obsp, or contact us at cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca or 1.866.662.9233 Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

If you do not want to receive OBSP letters from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), complete the form at cancercareontario.ca/screeningletters or call us at 1.866.662.9233.

You can change your mind at any time.

HOW TO BOOK YOUR MAMMOGRAM

Call the OBSP site where you were last screened to schedule an appointment. This information is provided on the front page of this letter. For all site locations, call 1.800.668.9304 or visit cancercareontario.ca/obsplocations.

Ontarians ages 50 to 74 do not need a healthcare provider’s referral to book a mammogram through the OBSP.

Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca
Document disponible en français en contactant info@ontariohealth.ca

OBSPRCL1YR0224

Recall letter – 2 year recall

February 16, 2024

JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

On behalf of Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), I would like to thank you for taking care of your health by having mammograms.

Based on our records, you are due for a mammogram because your last one was in APR/22. If you have not already done so, please call the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) site where you were last screened (OBSP SAMPLE SITE) at 222.333.4444 ext. 1 to book an appointment.

A mammogram can find changes when they are too small to feel or see. Getting screened every two years is the best way to find breast cancer early and provides the best chance of successful treatment.

Take the time to book your mammogram today.

As an agency of the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) provides cancer screening programs to the people of Ontario.

Sincerely,

Judy Linton, RN, B.Sc.N, M.H.Sc.
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health

GET THE FACTS.

Mammograms are recommended for people ages 50 to 74 years old. Even if you feel fine or no one in your family has had breast cancer, it is important to get screened.
Most people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
Most people will have normal mammogram results.
Most breast cancers are found in people age 50 and over.
Mammograms are recommended for people ages 50 to 74 who qualify to get checked for breast cancer.
Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about the benefits and limitations of screening, or visit cancercareontario.ca/breastinfo.

ABOUT THE ONTARIO BREAST SCREENING PROGRAM (OBSP)

To learn more, visit cancercareontario.ca/obsp, or contact us at cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca or 1.866.662.9233 Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

If you do not want to receive OBSP letters from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), complete the form at cancercareontario.ca/screeningletters or call us at 1.866.662.9233.

You can change your mind at any time.

HOW TO BOOK YOUR MAMMOGRAM

Ontarians ages 50 to 74 do not need a healthcare provider’s referral to book a mammogram through the OBSP.

Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca
Document disponible en français en contactant info@ontariohealth.ca

OBSPRCL2YR0224

Normal result letter – 1 year recall

October 7, 2024

JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY ST.
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1

YOUR MAMMOGRAM RESULT

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

Thank you for getting a mammogram in JUL/23. I am pleased to tell you that your mammogram did not show any signs of breast cancer.

Also, your mammogram showed that your breast (chest) density is «Breast Density BI-RADS Category». To learn more about breast (chest) density, see the fact sheet that came with this letter or visit cancercareontario.ca/breastdensity.

Your next mammogram will be in 1 year due to:

«One Yr Recall Reason»

Plan to call your Ontario Breast Screening Program site a few months before your next mammogram is due.

Please talk with a doctor or nurse practitioner if you notice any changes in your breasts or if you have questions about your result. If a doctor or nurse practitioner ordered your mammogram, a copy of your result was sent to them.

Sincerely,

Judy Linton, RN, BScN, MHSc
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health

GET THE FACTS

Mammograms are offered to people ages 40 to 74 who qualify to get checked for breast cancer.
Most breast cancers are found in people age 50 and over.
Most people will have normal mammogram results.

HOW WELL DO MAMMOGRAMS WORK?

Getting mammograms regularly is the best way for someone to lower their chances of dying from breast cancer.

Mammograms are not perfect. They may miss some breast cancers and someone could get cancer in the time between mammograms. This is why getting regular mammograms is important.

To learn more about the potential benefits and potential harms of mammograms, talk with a doctor or nurse practitioner or visit cancercareontario.ca/obsp.

WHY IS THE WORD “CHEST” SOMETIMES USED WHEN DESCRIBING THE BREASTS?

Some people, including trans men, transmasculine people and nonbinary people, may prefer the term “chest.” The term “breast” is still used to make sure this letter is clear for everyone.

HOW CAN I FIND A FAMILY DOCTOR OR NURSE PRACTITIONER IF I DO NOT HAVE ONE?

Contact Health811 by calling 811 (TTY: 1.866.797.0007) or visiting ontario.ca/health811.

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ONTARIO BREAST SCREENING PROGRAM (OBSP)?

Visit cancercareontario.ca/obsp, or contact us at cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca or 1.866.662.9233 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Need this information in an accessible format?
1.877.280.8538 / TTY 1.800.855.0511 | info@ontariohealth.ca

Document disponible en français en contactant info@ontariohealth.ca

To stop getting cancer screening letters, fill out the form at ontariohealth.ca/screening-letters or call 1.866.662.9233 to get a form. You may change your mind at any time.

Your privacy matters: visit ontariohealth.ca/screening-privacy.

OBSPNTFN1YRDB1024

Normal result letter – 2 year recall

October 7, 2024

JANE SAMPLE
123 ANY STREET
ANY CITY, ON M1M 1M1

YOUR MAMMOGRAM RESULT

Dear JANE SAMPLE:

Thank you for getting a mammogram in JUL/23. I am pleased to tell you that your mammogram did not show any signs of breast cancer.

Your next mammogram will be in 2 years. Plan to call your Ontario Breast Screening Program site a few months before your next mammogram is due.

Sincerely,

Judy Linton, RN, BScN, MHSc
Chief Nursing Executive, Ontario Health

GET THE FACTS

Mammograms are offered to people ages 40 to 74 who qualify to get checked for breast cancer.
Most breast cancers are found in people age 50 and over.
Most people will have normal mammogram results.