While it's encouraging that the proportion of women in organized breast cancer screening programs has increased over time, in 2003 participation was only 34 per cent nationally.

We have solid scientific evidence that screening through an organized program can reduce cancer deaths and, in some cases, even the incidence of certain cancers. Existing cancer screening has helped reduce the cancer toll in Canada. However, we need to do more to make the most of this opportunity, which has the potential to significantly reduce the cancer burden in this country.

Talk to your doctors about what cancer screening tests are best for you. It could save your life.

Because of the long history of high-quality cervical cancer screening in Canada, the benefit achieved so far may be close to the maximum. However, it might be possible to see even further reductions in both incidence and death for this cancer if all elements of an organized screening program are incorporated, which would include identifying opportunities to increase participation.

The percentage of women who have been screened is probably somewhere between 34 and 61 per cent, and this is too low. However, breast cancer death rates have been declining and screening is one reason for this downward trend.

Everybody has a cancer story. Everyone's been affected and everyone wants to put an end to it.