KDH joins Ontario Breast Screening Program

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is pleased to announce that it has been granted official Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) affiliate status.

For women in the communities that KDH serves, this means enhanced services for breast health close to home. As an OBSP affiliate, KDH will provide screening mammograms to women every one to two years, depending on their risk factors. KDH will also continue to provide follow-up of abnormalities detected via screening, in partnership with Winchester District Memorial Hospital.

Karen Finner, Senior Medical Radiation Technologist

Cathy Burke, KDH’s Vice President of Nursing, expressed the hospital’s pleasure at the announcement, which has been a long time in the making. “Since opening our mammography unit in 2011,” she said, “KDH has been working toward being part of the province-wide Ontario Breast Screening Program. The reason for this is that evidence indicates that an organized screening program can find cancer earlier, leading to better outcomes for our patients.”

Having a mammogram at an OBSP site offers women a number of important benefits, including a reminder letter when it is time to return for the next screening mammogram, notification of screening results for both participants and primary care providers, help to set up extra tests or referrals if needed, and the tracking of participants throughout the screening process.

About 10 percent of women who undergo breast cancer screening will be called back for further imaging, such as breast ultrasound or x-ray Images. “For most women,” noted Burke, “further pictures will help rule out breast cancer.”

KDH is the only site in the Champlain region to be joining the OBSP this year.

“We are delighted to welcome Kemptville District Hospital to the Ontario Breast Screening Program,” said Dr. Jean Seely, Regional Breast Imaging Lead for the program. “Breast cancer occurs primarily in women 50 to 74 years of age,” she added, “so now is the time for women on the younger end of this age range, from 50 to 54, to not only start thinking about screening for breast cancer, but to start booking their regular mammograms.”

For KDH, having its mammography program accredited by the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) was a prerequisite to joining the OBSP. Karen Finner, KDH’s Senior Medical Radiation Technologist, explained: “CAR accreditation ensures a high standard of quality from the radiologist, the technologists, and the digital technology.”

The KDH mammography suite opened in the fall of 2011. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Kemptville District Hospital Foundation and the Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary, the hospital was able to purchase the best mammography technology currently available. A digital unit was selected, as digital mammography images have better contrast than film-screen images and the technology images dense breast tissue, usually found in pre-menopausal women, much more clearly.

Mammography imaging at KDH is performed by highly skilled Medical Radiation Technologists who have additional training, education and experience in mammography and are registered with the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario.

In early 2013, KDH made headlines by taking an innovative approach to mammography – pledging to make every mammogram as comfortable and convenient as possible, offering plush spa robes instead of hospital gowns, kind and caring technologists, and extended hours to fit patients’ busy schedules. The hospital will continue to offer these comforts as an OBSP site.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of death from cancer among Canadian women. Finding early breast cancer offers the best chance of survival. The Canadian Cancer Society recommends regular screening every two years for women 50 to 69 years of age. Women aged 40 to 49 should talk to their doctor about their risk of breast cancer, as well as the benefits and risks of mammography. Women over 70 should discuss with their doctor how often they should have a mammogram.

Women aged 50 to 74 can book a mammogram at Kemptville District Hospital without a doctor’s referral by calling Bookings at 613-258-6133, extension 400.

About Kemptville District Hospital

Kemptville District Hospital is Accredited with Exemplary Standing, the highest ranking bestowed by Accreditation Canada. Committed to building healthier communities, we are a model of hospital-led integrated health services within the provincial health system. Kemptville District Hospital consistently ranks among the top hospitals in Ontario for both patient and employee satisfaction. We pride ourselves on being a good partner within the system. Kemptville District Hospital provides primary care management services, acute care hospital services, and advanced orthopaedic care.

For further information contact:

Jenny Read, Communications Officer

T: 613-258-6133 extension 223

Email: jread@kdh.on.ca

www.kdh.on.ca