Inventory of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Environmental and Occupational Health Data
Sources and Surveillance Activities

Inventory of Data Sources

Canadian Breast Cancer Screening Database (Health Canada)

Contacts
Alex Madramootoo
Research and Technology Division
Centre for Surveillance Coordination
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 957-3318
Fax: (613) 957-6218
E-mail: Alex_Madramootoo@hc-sc.gc.ca

Christina Bancej
Cancer Division
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 952-6143
Fax: (613) 954-8631
E-mail: Christina_Bancej@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Health Canada

Purpose of Database
Data are collected and analyzed to monitor and evaluate the performance of breast cancer screening in organized programs.

Content
For each woman screened, information is collected on risk factors for breast cancer, medical screening history, screening results, referral status, diagnostic tests, and final diagnosis (for women referred for diagnostic follow-up). Data types: demographic, clinical, and risk factors. Geolocators: province and postal code.

Data Providers
Provincial/territorial breast cancer screening programs and cancer registries.

Coverage Period
1988 to 1998

Data Updates
Biennially

Data Availability
Access to the data is limited to Health Canada Cancer Bureau staff; the data are potentially available to external researchers through a Memorandum of Understanding. Use is restricted through Health Canada and provincial security guidelines and licensing agreements.

Reports
Biennial report, in print and electronic formats, on organized breast cancer screening activities in Canada, focusing on national statistics and provincial comparisons. These reports are publicly available. Data may also be used by the scientific community for approved research projects, to respond to internal and external requests, and in articles appearing in periodical literature.