News & Events

Breast Cancer Screening News

TUESDAY, MAY 14. 2013

  • Mammography Technology Investment Announcement:

    • The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, in conjunction with Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) announced today that it will be “making a $25 million investment to replace all CR (Computed Radiography mammography) devices with new DR (Direct Radiography Mammography) devices to ensure that women get the most effective screening for breast cancer using the best technology available.”

  • Why Now?

    • This is happening now because new research is indicating that DR mammography devices are somewhat better at detecting breast cancers than CR mammography devices. Cancer Care Ontario does state that “The chance of having an undiagnosed cancer in women who have been screened with mammography using CR technology is extremely low.”

  • How does this affect The Medical Centre?

    • At the Medical Centre we are currently using CR (Computed Radiography) technology for mammography. Both CR and DR mammography devices provide a digital image. With Ministry of Health support we anticipate to be upgrading to the DR technology as soon as practically possible.

  • What will take place while we acquire the new DR Mammography Equipment?

    • In the meantime we will provide all inquiring patients with answers to your questions about CR and DR mammography technology, your options relative to scheduled mammograms, etc.

    Patients currently booked to have a mammogram will be offered the following choices:

    1. To continue with your mammogram as scheduled, here at the Medical Centre.
    2. To reschedule your appointment until after the new DR Equipment is in place.
    3. To consult with your Physician/Clinician about the best course of action for you.
    4. To book an appointment for yourself up at the hospital for a DR Mammogram. (In this case you will need a copy of your requisition if you are scheduled for a routine mammogram.)

    What about women who have had a mammogram at The Medical Centre in the last two years?

    Any woman who has had a mammogram at the Medical Centre in the last two years and is concerned or would like more information, please call the Diagnostic Imaging Service at 705-876-4514. A staff person is available to speak with you, to provide answers to your questions. Any woman, who after speaking with our staff, remains concerned and would like to have a repeat mammogram conducted using a DR machine, we will provide you with contact information for the Peterborough Regional Hospital OBSP mammography service.

  • Why should I have confidence in the quality of my recent mammography images performed at the Medical Centre? How do I know that the quality is high?

    •    We are an “Accredited Site” for the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP), overseen by Cancer Care Ontario (CCO).
    •    As an OBSP site, our mammography equipment must meet the very stringent accreditation standards set and monitored by the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR).
    •    AN OBSP appointed physicist visits the Medical Centre twice each year to conduct an extensive and independent inspection of our mammography equipment and the quality of images being produced by each machine. These quality inspection reports are reviewed by both CCO and CAR. CCO and CAR quality standards must be maintained in order to remain an accredited OBSP site.
    •    In April 2013 we received our latest written confirmation from the Canadian Association of Radiologists confirming continued compliance with their accreditation standards.
    •    Our mammography machines are also inspected twice annually by the Healing Arts Radiation Protection (HARP) inspectors assigned by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). HARP testing results are reported to the CPSO and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, as a condition of maintaining a license to perform mammography and General x-ray work.
    •    Our Radiologists and Technologists work within the very strict guidelines of Cancer Care Ontario/ OBSP, Canadian Association of Radiologists, the Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act and their respective Professional Colleges.
  • If you have further questions please contact us at 705-876-4514

  • You may also wish to review the latest information on this topic from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (www.health.gov.on.ca), Cancer Care Ontario (www.cancercare.on.ca), The Medical Centre (www.themedicalcentre.net), and/or the Ontario Medical Association (www.oma.org)

Thank you.

Cheryl Collings MRT.R.

Manager,

Medical Centre Diagnostic Services