Table 1.

Overview of characteristics of each provincial screening program during their respective study period

Breast cancer screening program characteristics	British Columbia 2007–2010	Alberta 2004–2010	Manitoba 2007–2011	Ontario 2007–2012	Nova Scotia 2007–2012
Year program began	1988	1990	1995	1990	1991 (initially in Halifax only)
Recommended frequency?
Age 40–49	Patient initiative	Patient initiative	None	None	Patient initiative
Age 50–69	Biennial	Biennial	Biennial	Biennial	Biennial
Age 70–74	Biennial	Bienniala	Bienniala	Bienniala	Bienniala
Age 75+	Biennial	Bienniala	None	Bienniala	Bienniala
Recall letters sent?
Age 40–49	Yesb	Yesb	No	No	Yesb
Age 50–69	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Age 70–74	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yesc	No
Age 75+	Yesd	No	No	Noc	No
Reimbursement outside of program?	No	Yesd	No	Yesd	No
Proportion screening performed/overseen by provincial program	100%	Approximately 10%	100%	85%	100% (as of Oct. 2008)
Participation rate age 50–69	57%	60%	57%	57%	59%

^aIf in good health

^bAfter initial screen, annual recall letters sent

^c2007–2010 no recall letters for age 70+ but in 2010/11 recall letters sent for age 70–74

^dRecall letters not sent for age 80+ but will screen with physician referral