Saskatchewan women endure year-long waits for life-saving breast cancer screenings

Women in Saskatchewan face long delays for breast cancer screening, with some waiting nearly a year for a mammogram. The province has recently taken steps to improve access, including lowering the screening age and opening a new breast health centre in Regina. These changes come as survivors highlight the critical need for faster care.

Tammy Haas's experience shows how quickly breast cancer can worsen without timely screening. Her tumour grew significantly in just six weeks, a delay that could have made her diagnosis far worse. She only received her mammogram earlier than planned because of a cancellation.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) runs the Breast Check programme, offering mammograms to women aged 43 and older with no symptoms. Wait times for these screenings currently range from two weeks to four months. For women in northern regions, referrals go to the breast health centre in Saskatoon, while diagnostic imaging is available in several communities—prioritised by urgency.

In 2026, the province lowered the screening age from 45 to 43, with plans to extend eligibility to women aged 40 by June. The new breast centre in Regina will provide a full range of services, including mammograms, biopsies, ultrasounds, and access to surgeons, a social worker, and a nurse navigator. Lisa Vick, another survivor, hopes this facility will streamline care for women in southern Saskatchewan.

Support services, such as Weystrong Cancer Support Services Inc., also assist patients through online communities like their Facebook page.

The new Regina centre and expanded screening age aim to reduce delays in breast cancer care. Survivors like Haas and Vick stress the importance of faster access, as early detection can drastically change outcomes. The province's changes reflect ongoing efforts to improve services for women across Saskatchewan.