REGINA — The Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said Monday they are continuing to take action to improve access to breast health services by extending an initiative that allows patients to receive diagnostic procedures at a medical facility in Calgary.
Since the out-of-province initiative launched in November 2023, the number of patients waiting for urgent diagnostic breast biopsies has decreased by more than 87 per cent.
"We are putting patients first by continuing to improve access to breast cancer diagnostics for Saskatchewan women," Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. "We have made significant progress in reducing wait times and increasing capacity here at home with the recruitment of an additional breast radiologist and the opening of the Regina Breast Health Centre. Extending the contract allows us to protect this progress and keep options open for patients to ensure they receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time."
The contract with Canadian Surgery Solutions has been extended to March 31, 2027, as a temporary measure to ensure patients continue to have timely access to urgent breast cancer diagnostics while maintaining recent improvements in Saskatchewan's health system.
As of March 13, a total of 831 patients have been referred to the Calgary clinic, with approximately 746 having already completed their diagnostic procedures. Up to 1,000 patients are expected to benefit from expedited care through the initiative.
Patients requiring urgent diagnostic procedures, such as mammography or breast biopsies, will continue to be assessed and triaged by health care providers. Those who are eligible and interested in travelling will be offered care in Calgary based on clinical urgency and availability, ensuring those with the most urgent needs receive priority access.
"The Out-of-Province Breast Assessment Program continues to play an important role in ensuring patients receive timely diagnostic care," Saskatchewan Health Authority Interim Vice President Clinical and Support Services Richard Dagenais said. "Patients can be confident that Saskatchewan is taking all necessary steps to ensure their care is not delayed, while we continue to strengthen capacity within the province."
This out-of-province initiative remains an option while work is ongoing to build capacity within Saskatchewan. The SHA continues to focus on recruitment and system improvements to deliver more procedures in-province, particularly in Regina.
Improving breast health services for women continues to be a priority for Saskatchewan. Additional measures to improve access and reduce wait times include:
- Since 2023, biopsy wait times in Regina have decreased, with a substantial reduction in the number of urgent patients waiting for care, supported by increased specialist capacity;
- Additional volumes in Saskatoon and Moose Jaw, providing more than 315 long-waiting and urgent patients with timely access to breast diagnostic procedures;
- The opening of a Regina Breast Health Centre in April 2025, which co-locates services to improve access to timely diagnosis and treatment and support better patient outcomes;
- Expanded screening eligibility, with women aged 43 to 49 now able to receive a screening mammogram without a referral, supported by additional staffing and two new mammography machines; and
- A new, modern mobile mammography unit was introduced in January 2026. The new mobile mammography unit is now providing enhanced breast cancer screening services across Saskatchewan, serving 42 rural and northern communities. A second mammography unit will be introduced this spring.
Visit the government website to learn more about the out-of-province breast cancer diagnostic initiative.
