Lawson first in North America to study new biopsy method for breast cancer patients
Researchers at the Lawson Health Research Institute have piloted a new technique that will make breast cancer biopsies easier for patients, a new study found.
Radiologists at Lawson found a new form of mammography software that combines contrast enhanced mammography (CEM) with mammography guided biopsy technology at St. Joseph’s Health Care.
According to Lawson Associate Scientist and Breast Radiologist at St. Joseph’s, Dr. Anat Kornecki, this will make the procedure more accurate and easier for patients and technicians.
Lawson is the first place in North America to offer this procedure to patients through the St. Josephs Brest Care Program.
Two other centres in Europe were the first to use this technique which has been cleared by Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Researchers say CEM is a new form of mammography that uses contrast iodine which helps radiologists see potential cancerous lesions. If a lesion is found then a biopsy can be performed.
“If a lesion is detected only by CEM we usually offer an MRI guided biopsy, but we first need to find the same lesion on an MRI,” said Kornecki.
Before this new method, technicians were only able to detect potential lesions on contrast enhanced mammography and were biopsied under MRI, which often takes longer since MRI availability is limited.
“The problem is that it is sometimes hard to find the same lesion and the MRI itself can be uncomfortable for the patient. Also, some lesions that are close to implants or chest walls cannot be reached with MRI guided biopsy,” Kornecki added.
In a study including 50 patients, researchers found 51 potentially cancerous breast lesions, leading to 46 biopsies.
The results showed 11 had breast cancer, 10 were considered high-risk lesions, and the remaining lesions were benign.
“These are very similar results that were reported through MRI-guided biopsies, which means that this new method can replace the MRI,” Kornecki explained.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canada's longstanding blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma was harmful and discriminatory, Canadian Blood Services acknowledged on Friday, in issuing an apology to the LGBTQ2S+ community.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.