“According to the Canadian Cancer Society, more than 22,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, and an estimated 5,300 will die from the disease. Conventional mammographies miss up to 30 percent of cancers." Traditional anatomical breast imaging, such as mammography. does not capture the biochemistry, physiology, or the patient's response to therapy until the anatomy changes. It has so called 'blind spots' that limit its capabilities.
SoftScan by ART
SoftScan, on the other hand uses near-infrared light, combined with time domain technology, to obtain 3D images in place of mammography. SoftScan images characterize tissue on the basis of cellular structure and tissue blood perfusion. The SoftScan device is comprised of: an optical acquisition station, and a review workstation.
Slowly, SoftScan is proving to be more convenient than the original mammography, still used today to screen for breast cancer. SoftScan's high specificity allows health professionals to locate tumours which are either 'benign or malignant.' The device could also reduce the number of painful and often unnecessary biopses currently performed following suspicious mammograms. These biopses can cost up to one billion dollars a year! Also, SoftScan doesn't emit ionizing radiation, so any number of scans can be done without risk. Compared to mammography, this is great, considering the fact that mammography use is limited. As a treatment-monitoring tool, SoftScan can allow specialists to see immediately is a course of action is working and then adjust or interrupt treatment. This itself could lead to: shorter treatments, less suffering for patients, better results and lower costs for the health care system.
Without a doubt, SoftScam continues to have advantages for patients, health care professionals, and health care providers. Currently, Sunnybrook is the first health centre to purchase a SoftScan imaging system since ART received regulatory approval from Health Canada for the commercialization of its optical breast imaging device.
As more time passes, the closer we get to reaching a better understanding of our lives, our world, and our human bodies. Though Canada may be a 'late bloomer' when it comes to contributing to medical technology, there's never a moment too late to start. Understanding our internal body systems is key to our future. It can make the difference between for many people as we are getting closer and closer to our ultimate goal. With a better understanding, we can have the power to save multiple lives.
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References:
· "Canada 1 Mar 2011 .
· "Medical Technology Watch Canada Canada 1 Mar 2011 .
· "SoftScan for Patients." ART. 2011. Web. 1 Mar 2011.
· "Clinical Imaging." ART. 2011. Web. 1 Mar 2011.
· "ART Announces First Sale of SoftScan Optical Breast Imaging System." Medical News Today. 21/02/28. Web. 1 Mar 2011.
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I do agree with you regarding Canada’s contributions towards the medical technology in the past. However, Canada is beginning to add to the technologies improving medical sciences. The invention of SoftScan appears to have many advantages and will hopefully become an important instrument to treating breast cancer. Despite this, SoftScan is still considered a new technology, and many may be hesitant to use it. For example, some vaccinations, that were considered to cure diseases, have side effects including allergic reactions, and/or severe headaches.
ReplyDeleteI think it is amazing that Canadian Hospitals are taking a step forward to use new medical technologies to help treat their patients. Sunnybrook, as well as other hospitals, are taking advantage of the modern medical technology that is available to us.
All in all, I enjoyed your blog. It gave a brief but effective overview on a Canadian medical technology. Also, the layout of the blog is very clean and the picture of the SoftScan helps the reader to gain a better understanding of the technology.
Hi Mary! Great BioBlog! It’s nice to see that something is being done about the fact mammograms are not as effective when it comes to diagnosing the breasts. Before reading your blog, and discovering this new technology myself, I never realized that mammograms miss about 30 percent of cancers. That can really affect the diagnosis and treatment process of patients. And referring to your blog, the 5, 300 breast cancer suffers that could lose their lives could actually live longer with the advent of the SoftScan. I’m proud to know that this technology is Canadian made and Sunnybrook, again, a Canadian health care centre – not to mention a leading health care center; is one of the first to purchase this SoftScan device. This truly showcases that we will do whatever we can to ensure our bodies receive the highest quality treatments.
ReplyDeleteHey Mary! I agree on the part that Canada hasn't been as involved in developing new machines for variety of diseases. But it is great news to see that there is a company that wants to contribute to making a difference. Breast cancer especially has been one of the common diseases in Canada and it is definitely good news to know that there is a machine out there that can identify the cancer cell faster than the mammography machine. It is not only a healthier version but a cheaper version. As you said, we might not know what kind of radiation those machines use rather these ionizing radiation free Soft Scan. We continue to believe that the great minds will continue to come up with greater innovation that will make health care even easier and cheaper and of couse SAVE multiple lives.
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