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Programs & Services

Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Program

The Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Program (ABCSP) is a provincial screening program that works to educate and increase the number of women, aged 50 to 74, who have regular breast cancer screening using mammograms (breast x-ray). Screening is the best way to find breast cancer early, when treatment has the best chance of working.

Services include:

  • Working with healthcare providers to support women, aged 50 to 74, in getting breast cancer screening across the province
  • Providing breast cancer screening information and education to eligible women and healthcare providers
  • Sending screening invitations, results, reminder and follow-up letters to eligible women
  • Working with healthcare providers to contact women who have been screened or who are eligible to be screened. For more information, visit our website.

Where are mammography services offered?

  • Alberta Health Services (AHS) Screen Test uses 2 mobile trailers to provide mammograms to women in over 120 communities in rural Alberta
  • Community clinics operated by the Alberta Society of Radiologists throughout Alberta
  • Hospitals and community health centres operated by AHS. To find a clinic or to book a mammogram, visit screeningforlife.ca

Access
Service Providers May Include
radiologists, radiology technologists
Eligibility

Based on Albertan recommendations (guidelines):
 
Women, aged 50 to 74, who live in Alberta and have no symptoms or personal/family history (average/not at increased risk) are eligible for regular breast cancer screening using mammograms every 2 years.
 
Once a woman turns 50, she will be sent a letter to let her know that she is at an age when screening is important and invite her to get screened (if she hasn’t had a screening mammogram already).

Service Access

Women aged 50 to 74 - you can book a screening mammogram without a referral or requisition. Some clinics may need you to give your healthcare provider’s name in order to book a mammogram. This is so that the clinic knows who to send results to and who will do the follow-up, if needed.

Women aged 40 to 49 - you will need a referral or requisition from your healthcare provider for your first screening mammogram. After that, you can book future mammogram appointments by providing the name of your healthcare provider. 
Women aged 75 and older - if you choose to continue screening, you will need a referral from your healthcare provider.


Service Locations