New PET scanner for cancer patients in Sask.

Saskatchewan patients will have access to a new technology that will help determine the right treatment required for those suffering from cancer.

A new positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) scanner is now up and running at Saskatoon's Royal University Hospital.

"The investment we have made in this state-of-the-art medical imaging service will pay off in better health for our people, increased convenience and less stress from out-of-province travel, and better access to accurate diagnoses," said Randy Weekes, the Rural and Remote Health Minister in a press release Thursday.

Cindy Komodowski was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer in 2004, and has travelled to other provinces that already have such ascanner to monitor the size of her tumour.

"It makes such a difference to be able to stay close to home, family and friends," Komodowski said, after being able to get a scan without leaving the province.

The Saskatoon Health Region expects the scanner will help determine the right treatment for about 1,200 cancer patients in the province this fiscal year. It will help1,900 patients every year after that.

The province gave the Saskatoon Health Region $4 million toward the new technology, and it will be giving the region $3.7 million annually to operate the scanner.