Whereas access to regular routine mammogram screening is inadequate within the Province of BC; And whereas an increasing number of women are being diagnosed with more aggressive breast cancer between the ages of thirty to forty; And whereas early detection of breast cancer is paramount to diagnosis and treatment: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call upon the provincial government to increase the number of mobile mammogram screening units available to rural and remote communities; And be it further resolved that UBCM call upon the provincial government to lower the age of MSP coverage for routine mammogram screening to the age of thirty and modify the program so that participation in the screening program can occur whether or not the person has a primary care provider.
Ministry of Health Early detection of cancer is critical to more effective treatment, as well as better outcomes for the population. Increasing access to cancer screening is a priority action in British Columbias 10-Year Cancer Action Plan. We are looking into new strategies to make screening more accessible, such as providing mobile mammography services and cervix self-screening. About 10 percent of all screening mammograms performed in British Columbia are done on mobile units. Three mobile screening coaches visit more than 170 rural and remote communities across British Columbia each year, including over 40 Indigenous communities. The vehicles provide state-of-the-art digital screening mammograms, are wheelchair-accessible, and feature a spacious waiting area and comfortable private examination room. In 202324, BC Cancer started a culturally safe project to expand mobile breast screening to five communities on Vancouver Island. In addition, a toolkit is being developed in collaboration with Indigenous community health centres to deliver screening education and engagement to Indigenous communities. In British Columbia, provincial cancer screening programs and policies are guided by recommendations from BC Cancer and the best available scientific evidence. BC Cancer regularly reviews research and trends to ensure screening guidelines provide high-quality, effective care. For unattached patients accessing breast screening services, booking clerks at BC Cancer can provide resources such as walk-in, virtual, or Urgent and Primary Care Clinic information in order to obtain a provider for the purposes of screening. In addition, the Ministry of Health and BC Cancer are working on a project to support unattached patients with increased access to the provincial-screening programs.