Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre is using Breast Cancer Awareness Month to urge residents across Simcoe Muskoka to book a mammogram, saying one-third of eligible people in the region are not up to date on breast cancer screening.

The Barrie hospital says regular screening can detect breast cancer before symptoms appear, when treatment options are often most effective and outcomes can be improved.

Who should get screened, and how often

For people at average risk between the ages of 50 and 74, screening is recommended every two years through Ontario's organized screening program, according to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.

But residents aged 40 to 74 can take an extra step on their own: through the Ontario Breast Screening Program, they can book a publicly funded mammogram without a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner. The hospital says self-referral makes it easier to access screening at locations across Simcoe Muskoka, including RVH itself.

A personal reminder from a regional cancer lead

Dana Naylor, Vice President, Clinical and Regional Vice President, Cancer Services, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), said the gap in screening is one the region needs to close.

"We know that many people in our region are not up to date on their breast screening, and we want to change that," Naylor said in a release from Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.

Naylor also shared her own story, noting she is marking five years cancer-free after her breast cancer was found on her first screening mammogram.

"That experience reinforced for me just how important early detection can be," she said. "I know life is busy and there are always competing priorities, but making time for screening could make all the difference."

An hour for years of peace of mind

RVH is framing routine mammograms as a form of self-care, arguing that some of the most important acts of looking after yourself are the ones that protect your health, not just the ones that help you relax.

A mammogram appointment takes roughly an hour, the hospital says, but can support a person's health for years to come.

Residents who want to learn more about breast cancer, mammograms and the Ontario Breast Screening Program can visit www.rvh.on.ca/get-screened.