Most cancer patients begin their care journey in Lakeridge Health’s diagnostic imaging department. From ultrasound, X-ray and mammogram to MRI and CT scan, imaging technologies play a critical role in diagnosing cancer and monitoring the disease during treatment and, often, for many years after.
One Stop Shop for Screening and Assessment
For women and some men at risk of breast cancer, the Heather Griffith Breast Assessment Centre at Lakeridge Health is a one stop shop for screening and assessment. Advanced imaging is a critical tool in other areas of Lakeridge Health including the newly expanded interventional radiology suite, a regional hub for minimally-invasive cancer procedures such as ablation therapy, where specially trained doctors use an image-guided tool to burn or freeze the cancerous cells without surgery. The hospital’s imaging specialists also oversee the radioactive iodine treatments used to treat thyroid cancer. These experts are also involved in managing the pain from end-stage cancers that have spread to the bone.
Detect Early, and Treat Quickly
Every year, Lakeridge Health performs more than 18,000 scans to diagnose and monitor cancer, and the number of breast mammograms and biopsies top 24,000 and 1,000, respectively. In every case, our goal is to detect cancer early and treat it quickly, accurately and with the fewest possible side effects.
But all of this is only possible with the latest technologies. Like computers and smartphones, imaging equipment has a finite lifespan, and doctors, scientists and engineers are constantly introducing new innovations and practices for visualizing cancer inside the human body. Investing in the latest imaging technologies to diagnose and treat patients and get them back to their lives and families sooner is a top priority of Our Cancer Campaign.
For specific equipment, capital and research funding priorities within the Diagnostic Imaging program, please contact Steve MacDonald at stmacdonald@lh.ca.
$1,600,000
“From diagnosis to treatment, everything came together so quickly, in one place and so close to home. I’m grateful for everyone at Lakeridge Health that helped me along the way.”
— Selena’s thyroid cancer was diagnosed early and treated quickly, all without leaving the Diagnostic Imaging Department
18,000
scans performed to diagnose and monitor cancer every year