'A constant worry': Regina woman still waiting for cancer diagnosis nearly 1 year later
CBC
A Regina woman is going on 45 weeks of wondering if she may have breast cancer.
Nadine Baker has been experiencing breast cancer symptoms since March 2023. Due to a high volume of screening wait times in Saskatchewan, she still hasn't been screened for cancer or received a diagnosis.
"It's a constant worry," Baker said at a press conference Monday alongside NDP Leader Carla Beck. "I saw my mom go through breast cancer. So I know what the picture looks like, the sooner you get diagnosed, the better your outcome."
Baker was referred for a diagnostic mammogram back in March and didn't receive a call regarding the mammogram until Jan. 5.
During that phone call, Baker was asked if she would consider travelling out of province to receive the mammogram.
"I said, 'yes, absolutely, 100 per cent.' I don't care where I've got to go," Baker said. "The option I was given was Calgary, but they still don't have an appointment, just asked if I would be willing."
In November 2023, the Saskatchewan government announced it would begin sending people to Calgary to receive a breast cancer diagnostic procedure, due to a limited capacity to offer the procedure in Saskatchewan.
The Saskatchewan government contracted Clearpoint, a private health company in Calgary, for Saskatchewan residents on an urgent wait list to receive a diagnosis.
"We have had a number of people, several hundred have been contacted and provided with the option and the contact continues to this day where teams are reaching out to women who are on this list," Saskatchewan Health Minister Everett Hindley said Monday.
"It's my understanding that 45 patients have already had their diagnostic procedures done in Calgary."
Hindley said 148 women have been contacted from the list for their availability to book an appointment and make the trip to Calgary.
Training additional radiologists in Regina would help speed up the process, Hindley said. However, Regina only has three surgeons who perform surgeries for breast cancer patients.
"The work is being undertaken by the teams to ensure that we're working to recruit those positions," he said.
"I've asked the teams if they can reach out to other radiologists who may perhaps be interested in whatever it is taking that training, if necessary, in order to be able to offer this service."
Liberal leadership hopeful Mark Carney says he'd run a deficit to 'invest and grow' Canada's economy
Liberal leadership hopeful Mark Carney confirmed Sunday that a federal government led by him would run a deficit "to invest and grow" Canada's economy, but it would also balance its operational spending over the next three years.
The St. Anthony, N.L., Boys and Girls club is "starting to dream about what's possible to make the community even stronger" after its building was destroyed by a fire, said national CEO Owen Charters.
Groundhog Day: The Musical, based on the 1993 Bill Murray film, is having its Canadian premiere in Sudbury., following stints in London and New York.
A vacant north-end Halifax building that was previously described as an "immediate safety risk" by a fire inspector caught fire early Sunday.
This is part of a series called Ann's Eye, featuring the work of Ann Paul, a Wolastoqey content creator. You can see more Ann's Eye pieces by clicking here.
Olivier Soumis's green canvas tent sits in the middle of the frozen St. Lawrence River, providing a stark pop of colour against the muted tones of the snow and the open water in the distance.
A debate over how to adjudicate Treaty 4 rights was at the core of a federal court hearing in Manitoba this week.
Kael Flynn is the scion of a Saskatoon fashion dynasty, but the 22-year-old is more concerned with perfecting his curveball than selling suits.
The Regina Humane Society celebrated its first year in its new building on Saturday.
Beekeepers in Alberta's Peace region are watching nervously as the threat of a trade war looms.
In a world of shrinking margins and shuttered breweries, the last thing the craft beer industry in British Columbia needs is a tariff pushing up the price of the humble beer can.
Hamilton and the surrounding area is under a winter storm warning as up to 25 centimetres of snow is expected to accumulate Sunday, says Environment Canada.
With snow hammering Toronto overnight Saturday, Environment Canada is warning that the heaviest snowfall is still to come and travel conditions could "rapidly deteriorate" Sunday morning.