With all of the changes to the OBSP, it might be helpful to summarize the current pathways, including what correspondence letters our patients are receiving from Ontario Health:
| AGES | Referral pathway | Letters sent by Ontario Health |
| 40-49 | Self Referral | Patients do NOT receive an invitation to get screened*. Patients who get screened will receive a result letter. Once patients have their first screening they will be sent recall letters in 1-2 years depending on their results (This started July 30, 2025). |
| 50-74 | Self Referral | Patients receive an invitation to start screening when they turn 50. Patients will receive up to 2 recall letters when they are due for their next screening. Here is the results letter patients receive when they are turning 75, that advises them recall letters will no longer be sent. |
| >75 | PCP referral required** | No recall letters are sent to patients over 75. Patients who get screened will not receive a result letter. |
*For patients ages 40 to 49, Ontario Health will not be sending invitation letters. They encourage individuals in this age group to make an informed decision about whether breast cancer screening is right for them through conversations with their Primary Care Provider, talking to a Health811 navigator, or through the resource provided by Ontario Health on Breast Screen for People Ages 40 to 49. If an individual chooses to not participate in breast screening from 40 to 49, they will receive an invitation letter when they turn 50.
** For patients 75 years and older, generally the guidelines recommend individualized screening decisions based on 10-year life expectancy. From the literature, there are potential mortality benefits for healthy women aged 75-79.
Samples of all the of the OBSP correspondence letters can be found here.
For patient specific questions, consider an e-consult to our new regional OBSP Lead, radiologist Dr. Abdullah Alabousi.
-Dr. Meghan Davis