Wait times are an important measure of how quickly people are getting access to cancer care. They also indicate the health care system’s ability to meet the needs of all cancer patients.

Wait time information is used by health care providers to monitor and manage wait lists and resolve specific wait time problems. It also allows patients and health care providers to compare wait times at different care sites and make better care decisions. This information is critical to planning and putting cancer services where they are needed.

Although waiting for treatment can be emotionally difficult and stressful for patients and their caregivers, it is necessary to plan treatment appropriately.

Wait times vary for patients depending on many factors such as the type of care needed, the urgency and need for care, patient factors such as their clinical condition and system factors such as availability of health providers or equipment. As part of our accountability to report national benchmarks for cancer care, the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency is in the process of publicly reporting wait times through a phased in reporting system. The wait times will be reported on a quarterly basis and reflect the percentage of patients receiving treatment within the nationally established benchmark for radiation therapy.

The wait time reported on this website, ready to treat to first treatment for radiation therapy, looks at a specific part of the journey and is one of many treatment points.

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency is also working toward reporting on other treatment wait times in the future on this website.