Queensway Carleton Urges Women to Get Mammograms NOW

URGENT UPDATE: With October marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Queensway Carleton Hospital is launching a vital campaign urging women to schedule regular mammograms immediately. Hospital officials emphasize that early detection can be life-saving, making this call to action more crucial than ever.

In a recent interview on CTV Your Morning Ottawa, Lindsay Wyers, Vice President of Digital Transformation and Chief Information Officer at the hospital, stressed the importance of routine mammograms. “It should be as normalized as bloodwork,” Wyers stated, highlighting the need for women to prioritize their breast health.

Women aged 40 and over can now self-refer for mammograms, a significant shift designed to improve accessibility. Additionally, those aged 30 and older with a family history of breast cancer or genetic markers can also take advantage of this self-referral policy. Wyers noted, “You don’t need to go to your family doc or nurse practitioner to be able to come and get a mammogram.”

Wyers shared her personal experience, stating, “It takes 10 minutes, it’s quicker than going to the drive-through at Tim Hortons and for me, it was less painful than going to the dentist.” To demystify the process, she filmed her entire mammogram appointment and posted it online, encouraging others to understand and normalize this critical health check.

“I was actually really nervous about it, so for me it was important to share that message to women out there and to really normalize the idea of a mammogram,” Wyers remarked, underlining the emotional aspect of seeking preventative care.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among Canadian women, outside of non-melanoma skin cancers, making early detection essential. Wyers concluded with a powerful reminder, quoting Benjamin Franklin: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

To book a mammogram appointment at the Queensway Carleton Hospital, call 613-721-4711 ext. 3 today. Don’t wait—take the proactive step towards protecting your health.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for more updates on this important health initiative.