According to the Niagara Health System, the number of women getting regular breast screening has increased in Niagara but there are still thousands who are not.

Medical Director of Oncology at the NHS Dr. Janice Giesbrecht says breast screening saves lives and they want the 12 thousand not getting screened to take advantage of the system.

Giesbrecht says regular mammograms are important for women between the age of 50 and 74 as it helps detect breast cancer early.

The NHS has been working aggressively with Cancer Care Ontario to reach the target group, encouraging them to take advantage of services provided by Ontario Breast Screening Program.

Women in Niagara can now make appointments through at an OBSP site without doctor referral.

Niagara Health System operates five breast screening centre in the region with new ones in St. Catharines and Grimsby.

Breast screening in Niagara has increased around 25% with just over 19.5 thousand patients screened over the last fiscal period between April 2011 and March 2012.

The NHS has also launched an in house video called "Breast Screening Saves Lives-Together We Can Beat Cancer" to raise awareness.

For more information just go to www.niagarahealth.on.ca with additional resources available at the Cancer Care Ontario website.