New breast cancer screening and diagnostic mammography services are coming to the Portage Regional Health Centre.
Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara made the announcement Friday in Portage la Prairie, saying people living in southern Manitoba will have access to the services by spring 2027.
“Women in Manitoba deserve access to timely, high-quality health care closer to home,” said Asagwara. “Adding mammography services in Portage la Prairie will improve access to breast screening in the region, reduce the need for travel and help connect more Manitobans to earlier detection and care.”
CancerCare Manitoba will provide screening services at the new location. Diagnostic mammograms for patients experiencing symptoms will also be available once services begin in 2027.
The Portage District General Hospital Foundation has approved $725,000 in funding to support the expansion of breast health services in the city. The funding will support completion of the mammography suite, purchase of new mammography equipment, new operating room breast equipment and training for a mammography technologist.
Since Manitoba lowered the age for breast cancer screening for self-referral to 45 in January 2026, more than 12,500 appointments have already been completed. By the end of this year, the province will lower the self-referral screening age again to 40.
Watch Friday’s news conference:
