Sask. NDP says government is failing women’s healthcare when it comes to breast cancer care

WATCH: The Sask. NDP says the government is failing women’s healthcare, specifically surrounding breast cancer screening. Angela Stewart reports.

The Saskatchewan NDP took aim at the government Friday, where on the steps of the legislature, NDP MLA Brittney Senger cited government statistics relating to breast cancer screening and testing for women.

As of this March, 515 women have travelled to Calgary for procedures through Clearpoint Health Network, a private clinic.

At a legislative committee meeting earlier this month, Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill told the House Speaker, the contract with ClearPoint in the 2024-25 fiscal year, was $2,000 per-patient.

Cockrill said the cost for a biopsy at a Saskatchewan Health Authority facility would be around $1,200.

“This private clinic with Sask. Party connections, stands to make more than $1 million from their exclusive sole source contract. The cost of these procedures is far less than the Saskatchewan public health system. and the minister admitted as much in committee,” Senger said.

The ministry of health does reimburse the cost of travel and accommodation for eligible patients up to $1,500.

“Ensuring that patients have access to the necessary diagnostic tools and treatment options is critical. Interprovincial collaboration is valuable in some cases, and it’s essential that solutions prioritize patient needs, minimizing things like long travel and delays,” said Breast Cancer Canada in a statement to CTV News.

A grand opening of a new Breast Health Centre in Regina will be taking place on Monday.

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“We understand the anxiety waiting for breast cancer diagnosis can cause a patient. While work was underway to develop the new Regina Breast Health Centre and to ensure Saskatchewan residents at risk of breast cancer have access to urgent diagnostic services as soon as possible, several initiatives were undertaken,” the Government of Saskatchewan said in a statement.

“Temporarily expanded breast cancer diagnostic imaging capacity in Saskatoon and Moose Jaw to support patients from Regina and southern Saskatchewan. Invested in additional lab resources and technology to improve turnaround times for biopsy results in our major lab centres. Successfully recruited two new Breast radiologists in Regina; and temporarily implemented an out-of-province initiative allowing patients to receive diagnostics at a medical facility in Calgary to accelerate urgent diagnostic procedures.”

Minister Jeremy Cockrill and Minister for the Status of Women, Alana Ross are expected to join representatives for the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency for the grand opening of the centre.

Saskatoon has a Breast Health Centre at City Hospital.