REGINA — A new mobile mammography unit will have a “huge impact” on breast screening accessibility in rural Saskatchewan, according to the government.
The second mobile mammography unit will hit the road next week, helping to make more screenings available in communities following the announcement of the first back in December.
“Having the second unit is so important in terms of being able to hit that list of 42 communities each and every single year. Previously, we were on a one-in-two [year] rotation,” said Minister of Health Jeremy Cockrill at a media conference on Wednesday.
Each mobile unit is expected to screen upwards of 7,500 people each year, totalling a possible 15,000 patients. In one day, one mobile unit can take roughly 55 patients.
Patients will have 10-minute appointments and will be provided with an overview of how it works by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).
“[We’ll] work to make sure the patient feels comfortable and knows what to expect,” said Richard Dagenais, executive director of medical imaging for the SHA.
From an early-detection perspective, David Tran, director of population health at the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, emphasized the importance of routine screening being available.
“Seventy-five per cent of cancers detected are at an earlier stage, meaning better treatment options, better health outcomes, better survival, and just better Saskatchewan overall.”
Nora Yates, CEO of the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan, highlighted how the mobile mammography unit provides patients with quicker access to early cancer detection.
“[With this], you don’t need a referral from your doctor. And in Saskatchewan, especially in rural Saskatchewan and the remote areas, it’s so important that women have access and can take their own health into their own hands and make that decision themselves.”
Better technology
The new mobile unit will feature a state-of-the-art mammography machine, and new furnishings.
Cockrill described it as a “night and day improvement” compared to the old mobile mammography bus, which the government retired after 20 years of service.
“The old unit, for example, because of its age, we weren’t able to maintain [it] like water service. So just being able to wash your hands and do some of that cleaning [was challenging].”
Cockrill also alluded to the need for collaboration with stakeholders on the design of the new unit.
“I think the advice taken from breast cancer survivors, breast cancer patients and health-care workers really helped us get to a great spot here.”
The second trailer cost $2.2 million, paid for by donors to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan.
The province is also providing over $475,000 annually to support the operation of both mobile units.
Mammography bus schedule and more information can be found here.
