Member, Breast Density Primary Care and Patient Engagement Committee

BC is breaking new ground as the first province in Canada to provide information about breast density to patients and their doctors after mammogram screening tests. As part of this policy, we are creating education and support tools about breast density. Join this committee to determine what types of information and materials would help patients like you!

Open to: Patient partners across the province

Lead Organization or Department

BC Cancer, Breast Screening Program

Aim

BC Cancer’s Breast Screening Program is planning to include new breast density information with the breast screening results letters for patients. We are assembling a Primary Care and Patient Engagement Committee to provide advice on the development of materials that would be available for both providers and patients. Patient partners will participate in discussions to identify what types of information and materials would support patients in understanding breast density and their breast cancer risk. You will also be asked to review draft materials and provide feedback.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of involve on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will involve patients in planning and design phases to ensure ideas or concerns are considered and reflected in alternatives and recommendations.

Eligibility

• Women and patients ages 40-74 who regularly receive breast cancer screening
• No prior history of breast cancer is required
• Comfortable working in a large group alongside doctors
• Some familiarity with data analysis is advantageous

If you have a strong interest in this work but have not yet completed a PVN orientation and volunteer agreement, are unsure if your experience is a good fit or feel another format of engagement would work better with your availability, please contact the engagement leader directly.

Logistics

Vacancies: 2 Dates: Series of three committee meetings from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM (dinner included), on Nov 5, 2018; Dec 3, 2018 and January 21, 2019. Pre-meeting information session to explain the initiative and review any background materials, committee terms of reference tentatively planned for October/early November. The last scheduled meeting in January will be to review the final draft materials and obtain endorsement of the materials from the committee. Location: BC Cancer Centre, Vancouver BC. Out-of-town guests may participate via teleconference. Meeting materials will be emailed in advance of the meeting. Computer access for out-of-town guests during the meeting would be advantageous but not required.  

Reimbursement

Mileage up to 60 km each direction, public transit, parking and other reasonable expenses that have been pre-approved will be compensated following health care travel expense policy rates. Please note that the process will take up to four weeks.

Background

BC Cancer’s Breast Screening Program recently completed an independent review to evaluate the evidence regarding breast density and breast cancer risk, including a review of the scientific literature and BC Cancer Breast Screening Program data. The independent review included several recommendations for BC Cancer’s consideration, including the reporting of breast density results to patients in British Columbia. The Breast Screening Program intends to implement reporting by mid-October 2018, which will involve the inclusion of a breast density patient brochure with screening results and the distribution of a breast density guidance fact sheet for health care providers. A comprehensive communication strategy will be implemented in early 2019 to support the Breast Screening Program’s goal of effectively communicating breast density to patients on a long term, ongoing basis. The program would like to assemble a Primary Care and Patient Engagement Committee to provide advice on the development of a breast density communication strategy. This committee will help determine areas of focus for breast density communication and identify strategies and tools to help increase understanding of breast density results. The committee will consist of representatives from the program, primary care, breast density related groups, and patients. The committee will consist of representatives from the program, primary care, breast density related groups, and patients. Committee terms of references, a copy of the evidence review and an overview of the screening program will be provided to the participants in advance of the first committee meeting.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Carol Stathers
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Okanagan, Interior Region
778.516.3308
cstathers@bcpsqc.ca