What is an Environmental Scan for Breast Cancer?
Environmental scans help identify areas of improvement and provide a comprehensive analysis of something, which in this care is breast cancer screening (Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, 2021). By identifying and analyzing these statistics, Canada can improve its current healthcare system and how it handles breast cancer
2019-2020 Environmental Scan Highlights
A 2019-2020 environmental scan of breast cancer screening programs in Canada had the following key highlights:
- Twelve provinces and territories in Canada have organized breast cancer screening programs for those who do not have any symptoms (Nunavut does not).
- Breast cancer screening is recommended every two years for those between 50 and 74 years old.
- To be screened for breast cancer, most provinces/territories require a referral by a primary care provider or by that person.
- In British Columbia, someone has an elevated risk of breast cancer if they have a first-degree relative with breast cancer or they have a history of “high-risk benign breast disease” (Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, 2021)
