Breast cancer screening Quebec | Canadian Cancer Society

Detect breast cancer early and improve your chances of recovery through breast cancer screening with resources for eligible women in Quebec.

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Do as they do. Get your mammogram!

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS)’s Memo-mamo campaign is back for a 14th edition as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The campaign theme, “We take your health to heart,” is a reminder to women between the ages of 50 and 74 about the importance of getting a screening mammogram every two years.

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.

Women in Quebec aged 50 – 74 are eligible for a mammogram to screen for breast cancer. Women from underserved communities often don’t have access to information about mammograms or the provincial resources available. The Canadian Cancer Society is committed to providing inclusive and diversified services for all women in Quebec.

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.

"I want to remind all women between the ages of 50 and 74 that we take their health to heart. Book an appointment to get your mammogram as soon as you receive the letter from the PQDCS. Do it for your health. It’s an easy way to take care of yourself!" stresses campaign ambassador Marie-Claude Barrette.

Importance of breast cancer screening

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in Canada, with 1 in 8 estimated to 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 88% of women diagnosed with breast cancer can survive at least 5 years following a diagnosis.

By getting screened for breast cancer, you can improve your chances of breast cancer being detected early, before symptoms even develop, when it is easiest to treat.

Why should I get a mammogram every two years?

Because it's the best way to detect breast cancer.

A mammogram can detect breast cancer early, even before you’ve noticed symptoms, lowering your risk of dying from cancer.

Learn more about getting screened for breast cancer.

A mammogram is a low-energy x-ray of the breast tissue that provides detailed images of the breast from different angles.

You will be greeted by a female medical imaging technologist. For the examination, the breast is placed between two plastic compression plates, which are pressed together to flatten the breast. The procedure may cause some discomfort, but this usually only lasts a few seconds. Two x-rays are needed for each breast.

Breast tissue compression results in clearer images while minimizing the amount of radiation used as much as possible.

You will feel discomfort for approximately 30 seconds for each breast.

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 Quebec Breast Cancer Screening Program.

The Government of Quebec also provides a list of all designated screening centres in the province.

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

If you are living in Quebec, please contact your local QBCSP regional services coordinating centre.

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 (in French and English).

[Music is playing and words appear on a pink background.]

Memo-mamo

Let's shed light on mammograms together.

A mammogram is the best way of detecting breast cancer.

It can detect a mass as small as pea.

The earlier the cancer is detected the higher the chances of survival.

Nowadays, around 89% of women diagnosed with breast cancer survive at least 5 years after their diagnosis.

A mammogram is a free test with medical follow-up, even without a family doctor.

It's sometimes uncomfortable and a little painful but it's a 2 minutes test that might save your life.

Because we take your health to heart.

For any other questions about breast cancer screening, please call us: 1-888-939-3333

[The pink background changes to yellow. The Canadian Cancer Society logo and a pink ribbon appear on the left. On the right is a picture of Marie-Claude Barrette, Memo-mamo’s spokeswoman.]

Quebec breast cancer screening letter

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

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

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 breast x-ray that detects cancer. It is the best screening procedure for breast cancer.

According to the Government of Québec, mammography is the only screening method that helps reduce the number of breast cancer deaths. (Site web du Gouvernement du Québec)

The Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux launched the Québec Breast Cancer Screening Program (QBCSP) in May 1998.

The QBCSP recommends that women aged 50 to 74 have a mammogram done every 2 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.

According to the Collège des médecins du Québec, a prescription is a written direction by a doctor, dentist or other medical professional authorized by law.

They are typically for medications, treatments, examinations, or care, to be given to a person or group of persons, as well as how they should be given.

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

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