Describing service provision of the Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program (NSBSP) to Nova Scotia women aged 50 to 69 years from 2002-2006

This is a retrospective study describing the service provision of breast cancer screening services by the Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program (NSBSP) to women aged 50-69 from 2002 to 2006. The study objectives are to describe the need for breast screening, to describe the use of breast screening services, and to describe how screening services were delivered. The study sample consisted of all Nova Scotia women aged 50-69 screened via the NSBSP at both fixed and mobile sites. The results show substantial differences by District Health Authority in program participation and the volume of screening exams performed. The three mobile vans delivered services in very different manners and there appear to be inequities as there were rural regions with little service access. The time period of 2002-2006 indicates a great deal of growth and change for the NSBSP, but there was only capacity to screen half of the target population.