Ontario’s Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital opened up a new lung cancer diagnostics clinic last week with a variety of different procedures for identifying the disease.
The diagnostic procedures in discussion are positron emission tomography (PET) scan imaging and computed tomography (CT) guided biopsies. Also, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) testing and radial probe EBUS.
The first involves injecting an individual with a mildly radioactive chemical called a radiotracer. Diseased cells will absorb this chemical, enabling the PET scanning device to detect their presence.
The second utilizes CT imaging to pinpoint the area of a person’s lung that will provide the best sample for examination under a microscope. A needle then extracts the sample from that area.
The third also locates the best spot for a needle to take a sample. But with this method, ultrasound imaging is used to pinpoint it.
Lastly, the radial probe EBUS uses ultrasound technology too, but is capable of providing a 360 degree view of an individual’s lungs. Very few hospitals in Ontario offer endoscopy procedures like this one, the clinic says.
“Our ultimate goal is early cancer detection, which enables prompt and effective treatment to enhance patient outcomes,” Dr. David Youssef, Physician Lead at the clinic and respirologist, said in a news release. He explained that this new Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program will save patients time and headaches. It will accomplish this by offering multiple testing services in the same place.
We are exited to introduce a new Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program (LDAP) Clinic at OTMH. This clinic offers diagnostic assessment & treatment services for patients with symptoms or concerns related to lung cancer or suspicious spots on the lung.
More: https://t.co/VbbLBlwXyL pic.twitter.com/WSvFVsdjry
— Halton Healthcare (@HaltonHlthcare) August 22, 2024
Read more: Breath Diagnostics takes aim at lung cancer with One Breath
Read more: Breath Diagnostics pioneers novel lung cancer breath test
Testing completed within 28 days after consultation
Patients will be able to visit the clinic within two weeks after it has received their referral. All applicable testing will be completed within four weeks after the consultation.
The team at the clinic says they will collaborate with thoracic surgeons and oncologists to develop the best treatment plan possible if the disease is detected.
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, The Ottawa Hospital and Lakeridge Health in Oshawa are some of Ontario’s other healthcare facilities offering lung cancer screening programs.
But what if definitive lung cancer testing could be completed in only four days?
One particular American company has developed a novel device capable of returning accurate results that quickly.
Breath Diagnostics Inc. has been pioneering an easy-to-use technology that merely requires a test subject to breathe into a bag rather than having to use expensive medical equipment or invasive testing. Radiation isn’t involved either.
Through use of a small state-of-the-art machine, organic compounds present in the breath sample can be stabilized and sent off to a lab for timely analysis.
Following additional research, the company’s OneBreath MicroReactor testing system will soon become commercially available to healthcare providers. Eventual FDA approval is Breath Diagnostics’ goal.
rowan@mugglehead.com
