Breast cancer screening Quebec | Canadian Cancer Society

Celebrating 15 years by your side!

15 years of women's stories, lives changed, and lives saved.

Do as they do. Get your mammogram!

Let's save lives, one mammogram at a time.

For 15 years, Memo-mamo has been working to raise awareness among women in Quebec aged 50 to 74 about the importance of having a screening mammogram every two years.

Taking care of your breast health starts with understanding the benefits and limitations of screening for breast cancer, why you should get screened, and how to get a mammogram if you live in Quebec and are eligible. Let's save lives, one mammogram at a time.

Do as they do. Get your mammogram

[The Memo-mamo campaign logo appears on a pink background. A woman sits down, shakes a person’s hand and two people adjust her make-up. A second woman stands as someone fixes her microphone. A mother and daughter sit while people adjust their make-up and overhead microphones. The scene ends.]

Words on screen: The breast cancer diagnosis

Words on screen: Lise Villeneuve. Journalist, diagnosed in 2020

Lise: I wish I knew the magic formula to convince all the women around me, and even those I don't know, to get a mammogram as soon as possible. I think it's important to remember that we don't have control over everything that happens in our lives.

Words on screen: Dr Mona Ben M'Rad. Physician and survivor, diagnosed in 2018

Mona: Women will certainly encourage each other. I think it's very important for a sense of empowerment to take control of monitoring what can happen inside our bodies.

Words on screen: The mammogram

Lise: It's really simple, not at all invasive. It’s quick, it takes just two minutes, and it’s a bit uncomfortable. But it gives you a sense of control over your life, once the test is done.

Mona: It can be unpleasant or painful, but personally, I prefer this pain to other types of pain that are much worse. I believe that all human beings have the courage to overcome discomfort and physical pain.

Words on screen: The letter from the Quebec Breast Cancer Screening and an illustration of the letter.

Words on screen: Suzanne Maillé. Diagnosed in 2011

Suzanne: When you receive the letter, take the time to read it, but be proactive, not reactive. Because sometimes, when you have a lot of questions, that's when you get really afraid to go for a test. I think it's important to be proactive and then go, because it's important to find out exactly what's going on, and you're taken care of very quickly when you have cancer.

Lise: A mammogram absolutely saved my life.

[A close-up of Lise, Suzanne and Mona smiling. The scene ends.].

Words on screen: Do as they do. Get your mammogram!

Words on screen: We take your health to heart

[The Canadian Cancer Society logo and a pink ribbon appear in the centre of the screen.]

Words on screen: For any questions about breast cancer screening, contact us: 1-888-939-3333 and the Memo-mamo campaign website cancer.ca/memo-mamo.

Importance of breast cancer screening

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among women in Quebec. It’s estimated that 1 in 8 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

However, since 1986 the death rate of breast cancer has been cut in half, through continued research and improved measures for early detection and treatments. Now, approximately 89% of women diagnosed with breast cancer can survive at least 5 years following a diagnosis.

Mammography/Mammogram

A mammography is an x-ray of the breast that uses low doses of radiation. The picture made during mammography is called a mammogram. It can help find both cancerous (malignant) and non-cancerous (benign) tumours in the breast.

It's the best way to detect breast cancer early. Mammography is the only screening test that can reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer.

The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the chances of treatment and survival.

How to get a mammogram in Quebec?

Marie-Claude Barrette, Kaimei Zhang, Alix Ortega, ambassadors

Did you know?

A mammogram can detect lumps as small as a pea, or just 5 mm. In comparison, when a breast is examined manually, only a lump the size of a cherry tomato, or about 2 cm, can be detected.

It’s important that you know what is normal for your breast tissue at any age. If you notice any changes, talk to a doctor or healthcare provider.

Two laughing women sitting close together.

Why should I get a mammogram every two years?

A mammogram can detect breast cancer at an early stage, even before you experience any symptoms, lowering your risk of dying from cancer.

Although mammograms are uncomfortable, they could save your life.

Learn more about breast cancer screening.

Portrait Marie-Hélène Luly for the Memo-mamo campaign.

How to get a mammogram in Quebec

All Quebec women aged 50 to 74 receive a letter from the Quebec Breast Cancer Screening Program (QBCSP), which you use to book an appointment for a mammogram.

You can receive a mammogram at a clinic or a screening centre.

A list of designated screening centres is included with the letter from the QBCSP.

You can also consult the list of all designated screening centres in Quebec by clicking on the following link: Regional resources - Quebec Breast Cancer Screening Program.

Portrait of Alix Ortega for the Memo-mamo campaign.

Are you aged 50 to 74 but haven’t received your letter?

If you’re living in Quebec, please contact your local QBCSP Regional Services Coordinating Centres.

Are you under 50 and interested in getting a mammogram?

Speak to your healthcare provider about your personal risk for breast cancer and the benefits and limitations of mammography.

If you have any other questions about how to get a mammogram in Quebec, please visit the Ministry of Health and Social Services website for more information on the Quebec Breast Cancer Screening Program (QBCSP).

Quebec breast cancer screening letter

All Quebec women aged 50 to 74 are automatically registered in the Quebec Breast Cancer Screening Program (QBCSP).

After receiving your letter to book an appointment for a mammogram, contact your local designated screening centre.

Listen to an audio version of the letter

Portrait of Kaimei Zhang for the Memo-mamo campaign.

Breast cancer is a cancerous (malignant) tumour that starts in the cells of the breast, which can grow into and destroy nearby tissue. It can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Screening tests help find some types of cancer before you have any symptoms. It’s important to have these tests, even if you feel fine and you have a healthy lifestyle. They’re part of your regular medical care.

A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray of the breast that aims to detect the presence of cancer. It’s the best screening procedure for breast cancer.

Mammography is the only screening test that helps reduce the number of breast cancer deaths.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services launched the Quebec Breast Cancer Screening Program (QBCSP) in May 1998.

The QBCSP recommends that women aged 50 to 74 have a mammogram done every two years. A mammogram is the only screening test that can reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer.

Since the beginning of the QBCSP, the objective has been to reduce breast cancer deaths in women between the ages of 50 and 74 by 25%. Results have been very promising so far.

A prescription is a written direction by a medical professional authorized by law.

An x-ray is an imaging test that uses small doses of radiation to produce pictures of internal organs and structures of the body.

For more information on x-rays, please visit the following link: X-ray.

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