Mammography

By phone during business hours (Monday to Friday 8am-5pm):

Mackenzie Health Scheduling Office

905-883-1212 ext. 2004 from Richmond Hill

905-417-2000 ext. 2004 from Vaughan

(Fax: 905-883-0772)

MyChart:

https://mychart.mackenziehealth.ca/

Tip: Schedule the mammogram for a time when your breasts are less likely to be tender.  For your comfort, avoid scheduling in the week before your menstrual period if your breasts are usually tender during this time. 

If you receive a voicemail from the Scheduling Office, please call 905-883-1212 ext. 2004 from Richmond Hill or 905-417-2000 ext. 2004 from Vaughan to complete the pre-registration process.  You will receive a reminder notification a few days prior to your scheduled appointment. Please ensure you confirm or cancel through the automated system.  You can also log in to MyChart to view appointment dates/times, confirm your upcoming appointments and complete the pre-registration process using the eCheck-In service.

PLEASE NOTE: Based on direction from Cancer Care Ontario, those scheduled to receive a COVID-19 vaccine should either have their mammogram completed prior to being vaccinated or should wait six weeks from the date of their last vaccination before proceeding with a mammogram under the Ontario Breast Screening Program. COVID-19 vaccine side effects may include swelling of lymph nodes in the underarms which may result in inaccurate results. If you have a mammogram appointment scheduled within six weeks of your COVID-19 vaccination, please contact Patient Scheduling at 905-883-2004 to reschedule your appointment.

For more information, visit Appointments at Mackenzie Health 

For Primary Care Providers and Physicians: Please send Ocean electronic referral or fax completed Diagnostic Imaging requisition form to 905-883-0772. Please ensure the requisition form includes the referring primary care provider or physician’s information, date and signature, patient's information and patient's clinical history. Please allow 3 to 5 business days for a completed requisition form to be reviewed and processed.  A representative from Scheduling Office will call the patient to advise:

• Appointment date, time and location
• Arrival time
• Associated preparation instructions for the test

Please follow any preparations provided at the point of scheduling

• Bring your valid health card (OHIP card)
• Bring the paper requisition form from your primary care provider or physician (if applicable). You do not need to bring one if you are referred by a Mackenzie Health provider or if you are enrolled in the Ontario Breast Screening Program (age 40-74).
• Bring any breast imaging images and reports (mammogram and/or breast ultrasound) that were done at other sites.  Please contact the sites you visited to obtain the CDs or Pocket Health Portal Access.  Note: You do not need to bring imaging if 1. your mammogram was done at a hospital or participating OCINet-site in Ontario, or 2. you are enrolled in the Ontario Breast Screening Program.
• Do not use deodorant, antiperspirants, talcum powder, body lotion or scented products around your underarm and breast areas. Some of these contain substances that can show up on x-ray and may affect the accuracy of the mammogram. Please note, Mackenzie Health is a scent-free environment.
• Wear comfortable two-piece outfit (such as top and pants) that is easy to remove. You will be asked to take off clothing from the waist up.
• Keep jewelry and valuables at home. You may be asked to remove earrings and necklaces that interfere with the exam.

Please allow 1 to 2 hours for your scheduled appointment.  We strive to stay on schedule.  However, unforeseen circumstances may cause delays.  If you have more than one examination scheduled, please plan for additional time.

• Once inside the hospital, check in at Patient Registration located at C-Wing Level 2 using the self-serve kiosks.
• Then, you will be directed to the Mammography & Breast Health Centre
• A volunteer or staff will ask you to take off clothing from the waist up in the change room, wear a gown and take a seat in the waiting room.
• When it is your turn, you will be taken to a mammography room
• An accredited Medical Radiation Technologist will ask questions to review your health history, explain and perform the examination
• Always inform your doctor or technologist if there is any possibility that you are pregnant
• Describe any breast symptoms or concerns to the technologist performing the exam

Cancer screening is testing done on people who are at risk of getting cancer, but who have no symptoms and generally feel fine.

Your age and family medical history help determine when you should get screened:

• If you are age 40 to 49, the Ontario Breast Screening Program encourages you to talk with your family doctor, your nurse practitioner or a Health811 navigator to make an informed decision about whether breast cancer screening is right for you. Most people in your age group who decide to get screened for breast cancer should get screened with mammography every 2 years.
•  If you are age 50 to 74, the Ontario Breast Screening Program recommends that most people in your age group get screened every 2 years with mammography.
•  If you are age 30 to 69 and meet any of the following requirements, talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about referral to the High Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program:

§  You are known to have a gene mutation that increases your risk for breast cancer (e.g., BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PALB2).

§  You are a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) of someone who has a gene mutation that increases their risk for breast cancer (e.g., BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PALB2).

§  You have a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer.

§  You have had radiation therapy to the chest to treat another cancer or condition (e.g., Hodgkin lymphoma) before age 30 and at least 8 years ago.

•  If you are age 75 and over, you can be screened within the Ontario Breast Screening Program; however, you are encouraged to make a personal decision about breast cancer screening in consultation with a family doctor or nurse practitioner. A requisition form is required.

Reference: https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/types-of-cancer/breast-cancer/screening

The Ontario Breast Screening Program offers breast cancer screening to women, Two-Spirit people, trans people and nonbinary people ages 40 to 74 if they:

• have no breast cancer symptoms
• have no personal history of breast cancer
• have not had a mastectomy
• have not had a screening mammogram within the last 11 months
• If transfeminine, have used feminizing hormones for at least 5 years in a row

A requisition form or a referral from the doctor or nurse practitioner is not required to get screened through the OBSP.

Note: People over age 74 can be screened within the Ontario Breast Screening Program; however, they are encouraged to make a personal decision about breast cancer screening in consultation with a family doctor or nurse practitioner.  A requisition form is required.

Mackenzie Health is an Average Risk OBSP site. 

To learn about the eligibility requirements for the High Risk OBSP, see Breast Cancer Screening for People at High Risk.

For a list of High Risk OBSP sites, see High Risk OBSP locations.

Reference: https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/types-of-cancer/breast-cancer/screening

Important: Contact your family doctor or nurse practitioner if you notice any changes in your breasts (chest), such as a lump or redness that does not go away, or changes to your nipple. Also, the effects of pregnancy or breastfeeding can hide the symptoms of breast cancer or cause them to be overlooked, so it is important to be aware of them. Changes to the breast (chest) are not always caused by cancer, but they should be checked right away.

For information on breast cancer symptoms, see Know Your Lemons.

Reference: https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/types-of-cancer/breast-cancer/screening/ages-40-49-what-you-need-to-know

Mammogram (including Ontario Breast Screening Program)

Breast Ultrasound

Breast MRI

Breast Core Biopsy (Ultrasound-Guided)

Breast Core Biopsy (Mammogram-Guided) *

Radioactive Seed Localization (Ultrasound and Mammogram Guided)

Breast Health Centre

Genetics Clinic

Are you looking for a copy of your images?

Mackenzie Health has partnered with PocketHealth to give patients online access to view and share their images from our hospital and other participating organizations for free! This includes x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI scans and other medical imaging results.

Log in to your MyChart account to access your images and take advantage of additional features including eCheck-In, lab and test results, preparation instructions for upcoming appointments and more!

What are the benefits to accessing my images online?

By accessing your images online, you can:

• Gain the knowledge you need to better understand your health.
• Get personalized insights & preventative health screening tools.
• View your imaging records online on any device.
• Share your records with anyone in just a few clicks.

To learn more, please visit the MyChart FAQs section of our website.

How do I sign up?

• Log into your MyChart account, visit the Test Results page and follow the link to our partner site, PocketHealth, to access your images.
• Once your records are ready to view, you’ll receive an email from PocketHealth with a secure link.
• Instantly download or share your records.
• Receiving physicians can then easily view or import these images in full diagnostic quality with no software or account set-up needed.

If you sign up for MyChart, you will have online access to:

•  Check in online 7 days prior to your next appointment using our eCheck-In* service
• View past and upcoming appointments
• View preparation instructions for upcoming appointments
• Complete pre-visit questionnaires*
• Cancel appointments*
• Update your demographics at any time (includes address, phone number, family physician, and more)
• View lab and test results
• View and share Diagnostic images including X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI scans and more
• Clinical notes on your care and treatment
• Track your health*
• Access your list of conditions or medical concerns diagnosed at Mackenzie Health as well as your prescribed medications and known allergies

*Available for select clinics

You can register for MyChart when scheduling an appointment or you can self-sign up online at mychart.mackenziehealth.ca.

Please provide 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. You can cancel your appointments online using MyChart but will need to reschedule by calling the Scheduling Office at 905-883-1212 ext. 2004 from Richmond Hill or 905-417-2000 ext. 2004 from Vaughan.

Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital

Mammography & Breast Health Centre 

C-Wing Level 2

10 Trench Street, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 4Z3

Monday: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Tuesday: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

Wednesday: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

Thursday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Friday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Saturday: 7:50 am to 3:30 pm

The main parking lot (North visitor parking lot) is located directly across from D-wing, near Emergency Department.  The South visitor parking lot is located on the south side of the hospital, on the south and east side of A-wing.  You may enter the hospital through C-Wing or D-Wing entrance.

Please allow yourself extra time during peak hours, as finding parking can take longer than expected.  If possible, consider taking public transit or getting dropped off by a family member or friend.

Drop-off area

A drop-off area is located in front of the Emergency Department entrance at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital. Please note that there is a 10-minute maximum time limit when picking up and dropping off guests. The drop-off area is monitored regularly by hospital security and vehicles must never be left unattended.

For more information, see Parking.

Breast Core Biopsy (Mammogram-Guided)*

Mammogram-guided core biopsy, also known as a stereotactic breast biopsy, is performed as a non-surgical method of assessing a breast abnormality. Using mammography, a specific type of breast imaging and the use of a low dose of x-rays to locate a breast abnormality. The procedure removes a tissue sample that will undergo an examination under a microscope. It's less invasive than a surgical biopsy, it leaves little to no scarring and can be an excellent way to evaluate calcium deposits or tiny masses that are not visible on ultrasound.

What are some common uses of the procedure?

A stereotactic breast biopsy may be performed when a mammogram shows a breast abnormality such as:

•  A suspicious mass
• Microcalcifications, which are a tiny cluster of small calcium deposits
• A distortion in the structure of the breast tissue
• An area of abnormal tissue change
• A new mass or area of calcium deposits in a previous surgery site.

If the results show cancer cells, the surgeon can use this information for planning treatment.

Following your appointment, patients are advised to:

• Avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 hours after your biopsy.
• Please contact your physician if you experience excessive swelling, bleeding, drainage, redness or heat in the breast.