Ontario’s First Private PET Scan Clinic Opens
March 10, 2003
(Mississauga) – March 10, 2003
– Ontario now has its first private PET (Positron Emission
Tomography) clinic as part of a clinical trial approved by Health
Canada and operated by CareImaging of Mississauga.
PET is a widely established imaging technology used clinically
in all G8 countries, except Canada, and is considered by many
health experts to be the best tool available for the early detection
of certain cancers. It can distinguish between benign and malignant
tumours, and determine the spread of the disease. PET is also
the only acknowledged test available for the early diagnosis
of Alzheimer’s disease. PET technology was invented more
than 15 years ago and in the United States there are almost
400 clinical PET scanners installed. It is estimated more than
330,000 scans will be performed in 2003.
“We have brought together a team of the country’s
most experienced PET scientists and PET trained nuclear medicine
physicians to participate in this exciting venture,” said
Dr. Nek Manji, CareImaging’s VP, Technology & Research.
“Initially we will be using PET in the treatment of breast
cancer, lymphoma, melanoma, colorectal, lung, prostate cancer
and will eventually be adding other cancers, Alzheimer’s
disease and cardiac viability, as PET can also detect defects
in the heart muscle.”
Unlike CT and MR scans that show details about the structure
of the body, PET examines the body’s biochemistry. When
disease strikes, the biochemistry of tissues and cells changes.
A PET scan is done by injecting a patient with a small amount
of a radioactive tracer chemically attached to glucose (FDG).
PET can effectively map the distribution of FDG in the body
and shows areas of intense concentration which are typically
involved with malignant growth, infection or inflammatory processes.
PET can inspect all organs of the body in a single examination,
uncovering abnormalities that might otherwise go undetected.
“As PET is the most advanced medical imaging technology
available today for the early and accurate detection of cancer,
it is critical that Canadians have access to PET in a timely
fashion so as to improve survival and outcome,” said Dr.
Christopher O’Brien, President, Canadian Association of
Nuclear Medicine.
Dr. Robert Stodilka, Chief Scientist for CareImaging agrees
strongly that PET technology must be available for all Canadians.
“Everyone associated with CareImaging from the business,
to the medical and scientific staff believe passionately in
this technology and we are convinced that PET will lead to a
better quality of life for those suffering with cancer, neurological
disorders and heart disease,” said Stodilka.
PET is not currently recognized in Canada; therefore, scans
are not reimbursed by any provincial or private health plan.
On a cost recovery basis, a charge of $2,500 for a scan has
been approved by an independent ethics review board to cover
the extensive costs associated with providing this state-of-the-art
technology. Different payment and financial options are available
and for those who may require help there is a CareAcess Fund
that will provide assistance to those who meet specified income
requirements. CareImaging will also pay certain travel costs
for patients coming from Northern Ontario.
CareImaging was founded in 2001 by two nuclear scientists and
is a privately owned and operated Canadian medical imaging research
company. Further information about PET is available on the CareImaging
website at www.careimaging.com.
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Jesson Artmont Communications
