In Saskatchewan, women are advocating for shorter mammogram wait times, a pressing issue that has sparked concern among many. The province's decision to lower the breast cancer screening age to 43, with plans to further drop it to 40, has been widely applauded. However, the long wait times for mammograms have become a significant challenge for many women.
The Wait Time Conundrum
With the system under pressure, wait times for mammograms can stretch to almost a year. This delay can be critical, as demonstrated by Tammy Haas, a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma triple negative in April 2025 and was able to get a mammogram at the end of March due to a cancellation. Had she not been seen when she was, her story could have ended differently.
"At the time that I had the mammogram, the mass was measuring at five centimeters. By the time I started cancer treatment six weeks later, it was already measuring over eight centimeters, so in the span of about six weeks, it had grown quite significantly," says Haas.
In an ideal world, all tests would be completed within six weeks, she adds. However, it is unfair and frustrating that patients have to fight to be seen sooner by a doctor.
"We shouldn’t have to push for our health-care system. We pay for it. That’s one of the joys of being Canadian. I shouldn’t have to… fight my way through it to try to get what I need from a medical standpoint," says Haas.
Communication is Key
Patient advocate and breast cancer survivor Lisa Vick was diagnosed in September 2023. Despite the good efforts made by the government, communication is still lacking. Vick is hopeful for improvement after being invited to tour the new breast center in Regina, which she believes will be a great resource for women in southern Saskatchewan.
"We got to see where the mammograms are done, the biopsies, the ultrasound. Then they told us that they have surgeons that come in every week. They see you pre- and post-surgery. They have a social worker on site and nurse navigator that walks you through the process," says Vick.
"Once (the center) it’s up and running at full capacity and we can get these women through there faster and more streamlined, it’s just a fabulous process and I love the ideas of it," says Vick.
Referrals and Wait Times
Women in northern Saskatchewan are referred to the breast health center in Saskatoon. In response to concerns over mammogram wait times, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) told Global News that referrals are dependent on individual clinics and personal risk factors.
"Diagnostic breast imaging, including mammography and ultrasound, requires physician referral and is dependent on an individual’s clinical indications and personal risk factors. SHA offers diagnostic breast imaging in several communities including North Battleford, Yorkton, Moose Jaw, and Swift Current, and prioritizes booking based on urgency. Wait times at SHA locations can vary between one week and 11 months," SHA states.
Additionally, the SHA says mammogram screening is also offered through the Breast Check program.
"This program is available to women across the province, aged 43 years and older who have no breast health symptoms, are not currently in active follow-up for breast cancer and have been breast cancer free for more than five years. Wait times vary from two weeks to four months, depending on preferred location."
Anxiety and Support
Regardless of how long the wait, anxiety lingers for patients wondering what to do next. In hopes to help more women understand what they are going through, and how to advocate for themselves, WeyStrong Cancer Support Services Inc. offers supports through their Facebook page.
But here's where it gets controversial... While the government has made efforts to improve access to mammograms, the wait times remain a significant challenge. This raises questions about the effectiveness of current measures and the need for further improvements. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with the current situation? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
