'It's bad, it's really bad': Regina woman waits months for a breast biopsy amid backlog

A 35-year-old Regina woman has been waiting months to find out if she has breast cancer. As recently as last week she was told her breast biopsy was delayed yet another month, and her fear and frustration build with each delay. 

Lindsay Rogers, who has a family history of breast cancer, found a lump in her left breast in April.

On June 16, her doctor found another lump in her right breast. He immediately referred her for an ultrasound. Despite her doctor's persistence and concern, Rogers did not get her ultrasound until Aug. 17. The Saskatchewan Health Authority says screenings, like ultrasounds, fell behind during the pandemic and that a backlog still exists.

Rogers received her ultrasound results on Aug. 20. They revealed she needed a biopsy on her right breast, as the lump had grown since it was detected and because of her family history.

A biopsy would reveal if the lump is cancerous, which would put her on the road to treatment and possibly surgery. The lump on Rogers' left breast was not seen as urgent.

Rogers's doctor put through a breast biopsy referral on Aug. 23. Rogers was told the biopsy would take place within two weeks, which is standard in Saskatchewan, but that window was soon extended to four weeks. This initial delay left Rogers anxious about her health.

"At first I was in the denial stage. [Now] I've been really trying hard to stay in the anger stage, because if you go to the acceptance phase, you stop fighting," Rogers said.

"The more and more I learn about everyone else's stories who are going through this as well, I just have to fight harder."

Rogers said this attitude keeps her strong and she depends on that strength. 

At five weeks post-ultrasound, Rogers still had no biopsy appointment. She said she reached out to the Ministry of Health to inquire about the wait times and was informed that the Breast Assessment Centre at the Regina Pasqua Hospital was still working on referrals from the end of July. Another month was added to her wait time. 

Rogers is adamant that she does not blame the health professionals for the backlog. 

"They are so backed up. They can't do anything about it. They can't push people closer. And you know what? For everyone they push closer, they have to leave someone else behind. And that's not OK."

On Sept. 21, Rogers again saw her doctor, who confirmed the lump on her right breast had grown substantially in the five weeks since her ultrasound appointment. Rogers's doctor made a second breast biopsy referral, which included an update about the urgency.

Meanwhile, Rogers said she spoke with a representative for the Ministry of Health who told her that if she were to get her breast biopsy out of province, the procedure and travel would not be covered by the Saskatchewan government.