Long Delays in Mammography Highlight Regional Gaps
In October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Fondation du cancer du sein du Québec is drawing attention to troubling delays in access to mammography in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Some patients in the region report waiting up to 30 weeks for a screening, a stark contrast to provincial targets and the experience in other parts of the province.
The foundation stresses that screening is the cornerstone of breast cancer outcomes. “We’ve always said that for breast cancer, the key is screening, and that’s where the region is facing real difficulty,” says Karine-Iseult Ippersiel, the president and chief executive officer of the foundation. She notes that October is a month dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer and the importance of timely screening.
The Importance of Early Detection
Waiting more than seven months to access a mammogram can delay the detection of cancer, when treatment is typically most effective. As the foundation underscores, finding cancer early means a cure, a less invasive care trajectory, and a significantly higher survival rate.
Provincial Targets vs. Regional Realities
Public health aims set a target of about six weeks for a mammography appointment. In contrast, the province-wide average has historically fluctuated, with the Fondation du cancer du sein du Québec citing an average range of roughly 2 to 11 weeks in many regions. The Abitibi-Témiscamingue situation illustrates how regional disparities can hinder national-level goals and patient confidence in the health system.
What Is Causing the Delays?
According to Karine-Iseult Ippersiel, the core issue appears to be resource constraints within the health system. Limited appointment availability, staffing pressures, and logistical challenges in rural and remote areas contribute to longer wait times. While some regions such as Saguenay and the Outaouais report similar strains, the numbers in Abitibi-Témiscamingue remain among the most challenging in the province.
Potential Policy Shifts: Screening Age and Resource Allocation
The discussion around breast cancer screening age is also on the table. Currently, screening recommendations target women aged 50 to 74, but there is ongoing debate about lowering the age threshold to broaden early detection. Addressing wait times would require sustained investment in radiology resources, workforce training, and outreach programs to bring services closer to communities in the region.
Practical Steps Toward Improvement
For residents of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, the situation underscores the importance of proactive health management and national awareness campaigns. Individuals should stay informed about screening guidelines and discuss any concerning changes or symptoms with their health care providers. The foundation’s message during Breast Cancer Awareness Month is clear: prompt access to screening saves lives.
What Patients Can Do Now
- Consult your family physician or local clinic to understand current wait times and any fast-track options that may be available in emergency variants or for high-risk patients.
- Register for screening reminders and consider alternative nearby centers if longer waits arise in your community.
- Notify provincial health authorities if you encounter barriers, so regional planning can adapt and optimize resource distribution.
Looking Forward: A Call for Action
The conversation around mammography wait times is not only about numbers; it’s about protecting lives through timely screening. As October’s awareness campaigns emphasize, breast cancer outcomes improve dramatically when cancers are detected early. The Fondation du cancer du sein du Québec continues to advocate for faster, more equitable access to mammography across all regions, including Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
— Karine-Iseult Ippersiel, president and chief executive officer of the Fondation du cancer du sein du Québec
