New pilot program looks to improve breast cancer surgery in Calgary
A new pilot project, which harnesses the power of magnets, is said to drastically improve breast cancer surgery in the province.
The Calgary Health Foundation and Alberta Cancer Foundation will be announcing $5.7 million in funding for the Sentimag Project on Monday morning.
- Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News, right at your fingertips
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
It uses a magnetic seed about the size of a grain of rice, which is inserted at the tumour site to mark its location for doctors.
The new tech replaces traditional hook wires to mark tumours, which can be uncomfortable or get dislodged.
The Calgary Health Foundation says this allows for less urgent and complicated scheduling, fewer imaging appointments and invasive procedures.
Doctors can also map the lymph nodes while the patient is under anesthesia for the magseed procedure, eliminating the need for painful radioactive injections normally required to map them.
The oncologist leading the project, Dr. May Lynn Quan, hopes this pilot will show the benefits of magnetic markers, leading to its use across the province.
The goal is to eventually be able to leave a magseed at the time of biopsy, allowing patients to go directly to surgery or chemotherapy.
The funding announcement will take place at Foothills Medical Centre at 10 a.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
LIVE UPDATES Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have been destroyed in a wildfire.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Tourist suffers 3rd-degree burns to feet after losing flip flops amid soaring temperatures in Death Valley
A tourist was hospitalized after suffering serious burns on his feet on Saturday when he lost his flip flops at a U.S. national park where temperatures soared past 48 Celsius.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
'Skibidi Toilet:' If you don't know what it is, you will
'Skibidi Toilet' is already an internet sensation and now its about to get even more exposure after the YouTube series is being developed for TV and film, according to a report by Variety.
'Sick to my stomach': People grieve Jasper National Park by sharing favourite photos
As an out-of-control wildfire roared through Alberta’s famed Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday, many are fearing the worst as officials warned of 'significant loss' within the area.