Mr. Speaker, once again I have concerns that the National Post 's sensational headlines have caused a huge distortion of serious facts.
The title of today's article in the National Post suggested that mammograms are pointless. This could not be farther from the truth. A new study on breast screening procedures says that proper physical examinations can be a viable alternative for women who do not have access to mammograms or who fear radiation.
Dr. Cornelia Baines, deputy director of the study, explained that if women can arrange to have a good clinical breast exam, they will be looking after their breast health as well as if they were getting a mammogram, but that mammography screening of women who take no other steps to detect breast cancer does reduce the number of deaths.
Canadian Cancer Society numbers say that 19,200 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada this year alone; all the more reason why Canadian women over 50 must still be encouraged to have either a mammogram or an appointment for a proper clinical examination by a trained professional every two years.