Breast Cancer Screening (Clara Bus)

Breast cancer screening (mammography) checks for cancer in your breast before you or your doctor notice anything wrong (such as a lump).  

We recommend that all women aged 50 – 74 years be screened for breast cancer every two years. Screening is a personal choice, so it is important to understand what it is and what the pros and cons are before making a decision.

A screening mammogram takes X-rays of your breasts. To do this, you take off your shirt and bra, and are given a robe to wear. Then the nurse or technician helps you position your breast to compress it between the two plates of the X-ray machine. The machine will take pictures of different your breast from different angles. 

Having your breasts pressed between the two plates can be uncomfortable or even painful, but this part of the process takes only a few minutes. 

After the mammogram, a technician will review the X-rays to ensure that they are clear. They will then be sent to a radiologist to read the results. It could take up to a six weeks to receive results. 

If the mammogram shows something that might be cancer, further tests will be needed to determine whether it is cancer, and, if so, what kind it is and how it can be treated. 

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While a screening appointment may take up to an hour, the mammogram itself only takes 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of your breasts.   

To be screened for breast cancer, you can contact your CMC to find out when the SophieAir or ClaraBus is coming to your community.  

If you are between the ages of 50 and 74, you will receive a letter from the CBHSSJB Public Health Department inviting you to be screened with the ClaraBus/Sophie- Air when it visits your community.

If you have a biological family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer, we recommend that you visit your doctor to discuss whether you should begin breast cancer screening before age 50, or more frequently than every 2 years. In the case of a very strong family history, a genetics consultation may be advised. 

You can find out more about breast cancer screening by contacting your local CMC.  

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