Vaughan/Richmond Hill, ON – In response to the recently published study by Cancer Care Ontario (CCO), Mackenzie Health assures its patients that computed radiography(CR) mammography examinations have never been performed at our facility.
On May 14, 2013, CCO published the results of an independent study which has found that digital radiography (DR) and screen film technologies are significantly more effective than CR at detecting breast cancer. The research analyzed 816,232 screens of 688,418 women screened in Ontario from 2008 to 2009, and concluded that screening with CR could result in approximately 10 fewer cancers detected per 10,000 women screened.
Mammography exams can be performed with different equipment. The three main types are:
- Screen Film– Screen/Film mammography creates a photographic hard copy image which is developed in a processor;
- Computed Radiography(CR)– an indirect system in which image information is captured on a detector plate from which a digital image is created; and
- DigitalRadiography (DR)– a direct system in which equipment captures an electronic image of the breast which can then be enhanced, magnified or manipulated for further evaluation, with a lower radiation dose to the patient.
In 2007/2008, Mackenzie Health transitioned its three examination units from screen film technology to high quality, efficient DR equipment, all funded through the generosity of the community.
The Mackenzie Health Breast Health Centre is proud to have achieved Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) Mammography Accreditation Program for its three DR units and to have held this distinction since 2004. CAR accreditation is an initiative instituted over fifteen years ago to ensure the quality of mammography images, and demonstrates that Mackenzie Health maintains the highest standards for its community by providing optimal, current and state-of-the-art diagnostic technology.
Mackenzie Health has been a valued member of the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) since 2005 and approximately half of its 11,432 patients in 2012 had OBSP screening exams.
For more information on breast screening practices at Mackenzie Health, please call the mammography hotline, at 905-883-1212 ext. 7190.
Quotes
“Patients who have had mammography exams at Mackenzie Health should not be worried about the results of the recent Cancer Care Ontario study. Our hospital has been offering high quality, efficient DR equipment to serve the men and women of our community since 2007, and our dedicated staff has been maintaining high standards of education, technical performance and, most importantly, excellent patient care.”
- Dr. Peter Stroz, Chief, Medical Imaging, Mackenzie Health
“Mackenzie Health is committed to ensuring that our Medical Imaging Department maintains the highest standards of quality as indicated by our Ontario Breast Screening Program and Canadian Association of Radiologists accreditation. We know that many women look for the Ontario Breast Screening Program affiliation and we are proud to participate in this program.”
- Cindy Draycott, Operations Director, Diagnostics and Therapeutic Program, Mackenzie Health
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Backgrounder on Mackenzie Health
Quick Facts at a Glance
- Mackenzie Health is a new regional healthcare provider for Southwest York Region offering much needed healthcare services through the Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, as well as a network of community services located in Vaughan, Richmond Hill and the surrounding communities.
- With over 600,000 residents in Southwest York Region, Mackenzie Health is proud to serve one of the fastest growing and most diverse communities in Canada.
- In October of 2009, the Government of Ontario designated Mackenzie Health (formerly York Central Hospital) to plan, build and operate the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. Since that time, Mackenzie Health has moved quickly through the government-mandated planning process and has approval to issue tender documents in 2014/15.
- The new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be the first new hospital to be built in Southwest York Region in 50 years.
- Construction on the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital is scheduled to begin in 2015/16.
- Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be completed and operational in 2019.