Sask. Woman's Year-Long Mammogram Wait Sparks Outrage

A Saskatchewan resident, Cathy Sapergia, has voiced significant frustration over a year-long wait for a mammogram appointment, a delay she found unacceptable given her family history of breast cancer. Sapergia was brought to the Legislature as a guest of the Saskatchewan New Democrats. During question period, Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill stated that mammograms are generally booked within one to two weeks across the province. Sapergia disputed this, sharing her experience of being told her next available appointment was in November 2027, nearly a year away.

Minister Cockrill emphasized the importance of timely breast health care, noting that over $15 million has been allocated to breast health initiatives in Regina, Saskatoon, and other provincial sites over the past three years. He also reported significant reductions in biopsy wait times, with an 83% decrease in Regina over the last year and a half. The minister confirmed an ongoing agreement to send patients to Calgary for diagnostic mammograms and biopsies, though screening mammograms remain within Saskatchewan. The province continues to monitor wait times and has doubled the capacity of mobile mammography units to 42,000 screenings annually.