'This will make a difference': Machine that can detect cancer early now at LHSC
The London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has obtained a “state-of-the-art” digital positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) scanner.
The new machine — which will soon be available in the London Regional Cancer Program — can detect cancer in its early stages.
“This will greatly expand imaging capacity with London and our broader region,” says Dr. Johnathan Romsa, chair in the Division of Nuclear Medicine at LHSC.
Romsa says he believes this machine will help limit the number of patients waiting for a scan and allow people to get the medical attention they need in London, Ont., rather than traveling a far distance to other hospitals.
According to Romsa, the machine can scan up to 25 patients a day.
This machine can be found in other hospitals in the country. However, it is the first PET/CT machine at LHSC.
So how does the machine work?
“We inject patients with a radioactive tracer that will get picked up by various organs in your body, and it shows physiological processes,” explains Stephen Nelli, coordinator of nuclear medicine at LHSC. “That radiation is going to be detected by the camera here and that image gets turned into a signal which then ends up on a screen for us to see.”
According to Nelli, the amount of time patients will have to spend getting a scan will be much quicker.
“The comfort for our patients is going to increase and that's going to also increase in that demand that we’re able to meet,” he says.
Other than helping patients before a potential diagnosis, during cancer treatments and after, it will also be available for people with epilepsy, dementia and cardiac-related health issues.
The machine will begin operating at the hospital at the end of October 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.