REGINA, Sask. — Saskatchewan has expanded breast cancer screening eligibility to women aged 40 and older, alongside investments in diagnostic services and mobile mammography units.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the provincial government is highlighting improvements to breast health services aimed at increasing access to screening, diagnosis and treatment across Saskatchewan.
Since 2023-24, the government has invested more than $15 million in breast health initiatives. The 2026-27 provincial budget includes an additional $397,000 for operations at the Regina and Saskatoon Breast Health Centres.
As of July 2026, women aged 40 and older can access routine screening mammograms through BreastCheck, expanding eligibility to approximately 76,000 more women.
Two new mobile mammography units are also providing screening services to 42 rural and northern communities, reducing the need for some women to travel for appointments.
“Our Patients First Health Care Plan is focused on ensuring patients receive the right care, from the right provider, at the right time and as close to home as possible,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said.
The Regina Breast Health Centre, which opened in April 2025, brings diagnostic imaging, biopsies, specialist consultations, patient navigation and rehabilitation services together in one location. The centre has received nearly 2,700 referrals since opening.
The province is also expanding access to diagnostic mammograms and biopsies through services across Saskatchewan, additional capacity in Saskatoon and Moose Jaw, and temporary diagnostic services in Calgary for patients requiring urgent breast diagnostic procedures.
Recruitment and retention of medical radiation technologists, ultrasound technologists and radiologists specializing in breast imaging are ongoing priorities for the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
In the 2025-26 fiscal year, Saskatchewan performed more than 37,500 screening mammograms, the highest annual total in five years. More than 74,600 diagnostic mammograms were also performed across the province.
“Expanding access to breast health services is especially important for women in rural and northern Saskatchewan to ensure they can access the care they need as close to home as possible,” Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Minister Lori Carr said.
Saskatchewan Health Authority Interim Executive Director of Medical Imaging Brenda Lock said teams across the province provide patient-centred care, from screening and diagnostic imaging to treatment and support.
“Early detection saves lives,” Lock said, adding that improvements to diagnostic capacity, care delivery and technology are helping bring services closer to home.
Karen Efthimiou, vice-president of population health, quality and research at the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, encouraged eligible women to use BreastCheck services.
Regular screening mammograms play an important role in early detection, Efthimiou said. BreastCheck now serves women aged 40 and older through eight screening centres and two mobile mammography units operated in partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
The provincial government says it will continue working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Saskatchewan Cancer Agency to improve access to breast health services, from screening and diagnosis through treatment and recovery.
