Mammograms save lives - Halton Region Health Department wants to spread the word

Halton Region is joining health units in Central West Ontario and project partners to acknowledge Breast Cancer Awareness Month by taking the message to the streets with eye-catching billboards, mall and bus posters.

Mammograms save lives–spread the word is the message residents will see on bright pink ads at various locations throughout Halton in October. The ads also promote beabreastfriend.ca, a website providing information and resources about breast screening.

“Cancer is a devastating disease that affects too many Ontarians every year,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “This year in Ontario, an estimated 8,900 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and an estimated 2,100 women will die of the disease. Through this advertising campaign, we are promoting breast screening through regular mammograms. Our hope is that when people see these big pink signs throughout our community, they will take action and make an appointment for a mammogram.”

The ads are an expansion of the ‘Be a Breast Friend’ project that recruited hair stylists to spread the early detection message to their clients, and encouraged everyone to be a Breast Friend. A Breast Friend can be someone who takes the time for their own breast screening or someone who shares the importance of screening with loved ones.

“Understanding the importance of regular screening through mammograms–and passing that information on to clients as part of our regular conversations–is another way we work to keep our clients’ well-being front and centre,” said Cathy Smith, Studio 238, Oakville, one of the stylists participating in the earlier project. Stylists can find out how to be a Breast Friend in their salon by visiting beabreastfriend.ca.

Women aged 50 and older can book their own appointments for a free mammogram at their local Ontario Breast Screening Program. Once a woman joins the program, mammogram results are shared directly with her, as well as her physician, and women automatically receive an invitation to come back in two years.

To book a mammogram appointment or find an Ontario Breast Screening Program location in your area, call 1-800-668-9304 or visit www.cancercare.on.ca . For more information about cancer prevention, visit www.halton.ca or dial 311 or 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866), TTY 905-827-9833.

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