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Saskatchewan Boosts Breast Screenings with Second Mobile Unit
9 Apr
Summary
- A second mobile mammography unit is expanding access to breast cancer screenings.
- The new unit increases capacity for up to 15,000 additional scans annually.
- Screening eligibility age is lowering to 40 for women in Saskatchewan.
Women in rural and northern Saskatchewan will benefit from increased access to breast cancer screenings through the deployment of the province's second mobile mammography unit. This new unit will operate alongside the existing one, enabling visits to 42 communities on a yearly basis, a significant improvement from the previous bi-annual visits.
The addition of this mobile unit is projected to boost the province's screening capacity by up to 15,000 scans annually, potentially accounting for over a third of all scans. This expansion is coupled with a strategic lowering of the screening eligibility age. As of January 2026, the age was reduced to 43, with plans to further decrease it to 40 later this year, making an additional 76,000 women eligible.
Operating both mobile units will cost the province over $475,000 annually. The new unit, a larger semi-trailer, offers a more comfortable patient experience and doubles the number of mobile appointments possible in a 12-hour day, accommodating 50 to 54 women. Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill highlighted the massive impact this will have on improving access for women in rural Saskatchewan.
This initiative addresses concerns about wait times for diagnostic services. The province reports significant work has been done to reduce wait times and increase access to screenings and care, with improvements noted over the last couple of years by the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.
