OBSP-cancer care

Booking your first mammogram can feel like a big step, especially if you are not sure what will happen once you walk in the door. The good news is that a screening mammogram is a routine, well-understood test, and knowing the steps ahead of time takes much of the worry out of it. This guide explains what to expect before, during and after a screening mammogram through the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP), using information from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario). If you want to know what to expect at a mammogram in Toronto, this guide also shows you how to book at Annex Medical Imaging.

What to Know at a Glance

  • A screening mammogram takes an X-ray picture of the breast.
  • Mammograms are considered safe and use a low dose of radiation.
  • A registered medical radiation technologist who specializes in mammography performs the test.
  • You will feel some pressure on your breast, similar to a tight blood pressure cuff.
  • On the day, do not use deodorants, antiperspirants, body lotions or talcum powders.
  • If you are 40 to 74 and meet the criteria, you can book without a referral: 1-800-668-9304.

Step 1: Confirm You Are Eligible and Choose a Location

Since October 8, 2024, people ages 40 to 74 who meet the program criteria can self-refer to any OBSP location. To qualify, you should have no new breast cancer symptoms, no personal history of breast cancer, no mastectomy, and no screening mammogram in the last 11 months. Transfeminine people should have used feminizing hormones for at least 5 years in a row. Our guide to OBSP eligibility walks through every detail, and you can read the source information on the Ontario Health breast cancer screening page.

There are more than 240 OBSP locations across Ontario. To find one near you, use Ontario Health’s wait times tool:

  1. Open the tool and select Breast Screening (Mammogram) Wait Times.
  2. Search by city or enter your postal code.
  3. Review the wait time information for your area and choose a location that works for you.

Step 2: Book Your Appointment

You can contact an OBSP location directly or call the Appointment Booking Line at 1-800-668-9304. You do not need a doctor’s referral if you are between 40 and 74 and meet the criteria. When you call, it is a good idea to:

  • ask what to bring and how early to arrive;
  • let the site know if you need language support or have an accessibility need;
  • share your correct name and pronouns if you would like the team to use them; and
  • ask any questions you have about the appointment.

If you would like to book with us, contact Annex Medical Imaging at (416) 531-1128.

Booking call checklist
  • Do I meet the eligibility criteria (age 40 to 74, no new symptoms, no personal history of breast cancer, no mastectomy, no screening mammogram in the last 11 months)?
  • What should I bring with me?
  • How long should I plan to be at the site?
  • Is the location accessible for me?
  • Can I share my name and pronouns with the team when I book?

Steps 3 to 5: Your Appointment Day

Select a tab to walk through each stage.

Preparation is simple. Ontario Health’s mammogram information asks you not to use deodorants, antiperspirants, body lotions or talcum powders on the day of your appointment. The reason is that metals in these products can show up on the X-ray picture and make it harder to read. Beyond that, you can go about your day as usual. If you have questions about your personal situation, ask the site when you book.

It can also help to write down anything you want to mention to the technologist, such as a change you have noticed in your breasts or a question about your history. Remember that a screening mammogram is meant for people without new breast cancer symptoms. If you have noticed a lump, dimpling, nipple changes, redness or other skin changes, contact your health care provider right away instead of waiting for a screening appointment.

A registered medical radiation technologist who specializes in mammography will place your breast on a special X-ray machine and take the pictures. You will feel some pressure on your breast. Ontario Health describes the feeling as similar to a tight blood pressure cuff. If anything is uncomfortable, tell the technologist. They are there to help you feel as at ease as possible.

Mammograms use a low dose of radiation. Ontario Health explains that the benefits of screening and finding cancer early are more important than any potential harm from the X-ray.

Inclusive, respectful care

Every person should feel safe and respected at a screening appointment. OBSP site staff are encouraged to call patients by the name they provide, use inclusive language, and avoid making assumptions about anyone’s gender or personal circumstances. If you are a Two-Spirit, trans or nonbinary person, read our post on breast and chest screening for more information.

You will not get your results on the spot. Here is what Ontario Health says happens next:

  • Normal results: the OBSP notifies you directly by mail, and results are also sent to your primary care provider.
  • Results that need follow-up: the OBSP site notifies your primary care provider and may help to schedule a timely follow-up appointment.
What if I am called back for more tests?

Being asked to come back for more tests is not the same as a cancer diagnosis. Ontario Health explains that more tests are needed after an abnormal mammogram to determine whether a person has cancer, and that most people who need follow-up tests have non-invasive procedures, such as special mammographic views and/or ultrasounds. If you are called back, ask the site or your health care provider what to expect, and bring a support person if that would help.

Step 6: Plan Your Next Screening

If you are at average risk, most people who choose screening should have a mammogram every 2 years. Set a reminder in your calendar so you do not miss your next one. People at higher risk who are screened through the High Risk OBSP are screened every year, with a referral from a health care provider.

Materials in Your Language

Ontario Health offers breast cancer screening fact sheets, postcards and posters in English, French and 36 other languages. Find them on the Ontario Health resource hub. For First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, Ontario Health also provides culturally relevant materials, which you can browse on the Indigenous cancer screening resources page.

Related Reading

  • Mammography and preparation
  • What Is OBSP? A Complete Guide to the Ontario Breast Screening Program at Annex Medical Imaging
  • Ultrasound vs. X-Ray vs. Mammogram: Which Imaging Test Do You Actually Need?
  • Breast Ultrasound and Preparation

    • Frequently Asked Questions

    Does a mammogram hurt?

    You will feel some pressure on your breast. Ontario Health says it feels similar to a tight blood pressure cuff. Tell the technologist if you are uncomfortable.

    Is a mammogram safe?

    Yes. Mammograms are considered safe. They use a low dose of radiation, and the benefits of screening and finding cancer early are more important than any potential harm from the X-ray.

    Who performs the mammogram?

    A registered medical radiation technologist who specializes in mammography.

    Should I wear deodorant or lotion on the day?

    No. Do not use deodorants, antiperspirants, body lotions or talcum powders. Metals in these products can show up on the X-ray picture.

    Do I need a referral to book?

    Not if you are 40 to 74 and meet the eligibility criteria. You can contact an OBSP location directly or call 1-800-668-9304.

    How do I get my results?

    The OBSP mails normal results to you and also sends them to your primary care provider. If follow-up is needed, the site notifies your primary care provider and may help schedule a timely follow-up appointment.

    What if I am called back for more imaging?

    Most people who need follow-up tests have non-invasive procedures such as special mammographic views or ultrasounds. Ask your OBSP site or health care provider what to expect.

    How do I find the shortest wait time?

    Use the Ontario Health wait times tool, choose Breast Screening (Mammogram) Wait Times, and search by city or postal code.

    Key Takeaways

    • A screening mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breast performed by a registered medical radiation technologist.
    • Expect some pressure, similar to a tight blood pressure cuff.
    • Skip deodorant, antiperspirant, lotion and talcum powder on the day.
    • Normal results come by mail; follow-up tests are usually non-invasive.
    • Book by calling 1-800-668-9304 or contacting an OBSP location. No referral is needed for eligible people ages 40 to 74.
    Helpful Links and Resources

    OBSP appointment booking line: 1-800-668-9304.

    Book Your Screening Mammogram in Toronto

    Ready to book, or have questions about your eligibility? Contact Annex Medical Imaging at (416) 531-1128, or call the OBSP Appointment Booking Line at 1-800-668-9304. Learn more about mammography (OBSP) at Annex Medical Imaging.

    Book Your Appointment

    This article is for general information only and is based on information published by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) as of September 2026. It is not medical advice. Screening recommendations can change, so please confirm current details with the Ontario Health links above and speak with your health care provider about your personal situation.

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