As part of a temporary fix, patients requiring mammograms will need to travel to Calgary. (File Photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Cancer Screening

People in need of breast cancer screening to go out of province

Nov 29, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Those in need of mammograms will have to travel outside the Saskatchewan for diagnostic care said the provincial government in a news release.

The government said while those at the highest risk are receiving “diagnostic care,” in province, those on urgent wait lists will be going to a facility in Calgary and the Regina Breast Assessment Centre will be in charge of doing the out of province coordination.

“We are thankful for the hard work and dedication of Saskatchewan health care teams who continue to provide these important services in the province,” Health Minister Everett Hindley said in the statement.

“That being said, current essential diagnostic testing wait times are unacceptable for Saskatchewan residents and immediate action must be taken.”

Official Opposition Leader Carla Beck issued a response following the announcement and said, “This government should be doing everything it can to help women at risk of breast cancer, but I’m shocked it’s come to this,” said Beck.

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“I don’t think it’s ever been harder to get a mammogram in Saskatchewan before. It’s absurd. The longer Scott Moe is in power, the further women will have to travel for basic breast cancer screenings.”

The government’s release stated it was a temporary fix to “accelerate urgent diagnostic breast cancer procedures, including breast mammography and biopsies, until these services are stabilized in the province.”

BattlefordsNOW reached out to the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) on whether regional communities like Meadow Lake will have diagnostic tools at their sites but has yet to receive a response, though in the government’s release, training, and recruitment of technologists such as ultrasound technologists and breast cancer radiology specialists continue to be part of the Health Human Resources Action Plan.

According to Sask Cancer Agency, there were 6,416 screenings in satellite sites (North Battleford, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Lloydminster, Swift Current and Yorkton) over a one-month time span between April to March 2021 to 22 went up to 6,976 over the same period the following year though overall, breast cancer screening dropped by 10,000. Meanwhile, due to increased wait times, screenings are being booked into summer of 2024.

For more information, visit: SCA_Annual_Report_2022-23_web.pdf (saskcancer.ca).

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

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