Women in Saskatchewan will have better access to breast cancer screening thanks to new mammography machines added in Regina and Saskatoon.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has expanded its breast screening capacity by adding a new machine at each of its locations in the two cities. The upgrades are expected to improve wait times and accommodate more clients, particularly as eligibility for screening is set to expand in 2025 and 2026.
"The combination of these capital investments and efforts by our dedicated health care teams have allowed us to make strides in providing Saskatchewan patients with timely access to breast screening and diagnostics," said Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill. "We appreciate ongoing work by the SHA and Saskatchewan Cancer Agency to improve breast health services in our province. Thank you to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan for their fundraising efforts to purchase additional equipment to increase capacity for screening."
The new equipment is part of a province-wide effort to enhance early detection and treatment for breast cancer. The SHA says the additional machines will help meet growing demand, especially with the planned lowering of the screening age to include individuals aged 40 and older.
"The additional equipment at SHA Breast Screening locations in Saskatoon and Regina will enable us to provide timely access to breast screening services and support the expansion of the breast screening age to patients aged 40 years and older," said Richard Dagenais, executive director of medical imaging with the SHA. "We are profoundly grateful to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan, and their generous donors, for their ongoing partnership and support."
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More than $2 million has been raised to support the province’s breast screening program, now called BreastCheck, including the purchase of two mobile mammography vehicles and the two new digital machines.
"It is thanks to our generous donors that we can ensure this vital new equipment will be available for Saskatchewan women," said Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan CEO Nora Yeates. "We especially thank PTI Transformers Inc. whose incredible gift of $1 million made these two new digital mammography machines possible."
BreastCheck is available to women aged 47 and older who do not have symptoms such as lumps, discharge or skin changes. The program operates at eight fixed locations across the province and through a mobile mammography bus. A referral is not required to book an appointment.