Detecting Cancer
As urologists, we make a lot of treatment decisions based on where the cancer is in the prostate. In our research, we are studying PET/CT imaging using a new radioactive tracing agent. It’s shown to be nearly twice as accurate when predicting the location and margin of prostate tumours, when compared to the current standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). More accurate detection means we can see tumours more precisely, with fewer tests. We expect this PET/CT scan to become the gold standard for prostate cancer detection.
Dr. Adam Kinnaird, CRINA member since 2020
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry
When cancer is detected in its earliest stages, less aggressive therapies can be used, treatment is often more effective, and survivorship may be greatest. Our researchers are exploring novel ways to diagnose cancers earlier, using new technologies to find tumour cells or other substances occurring long before the cancers cause symptoms. These biological warning signs include biomarkers in blood or body fluids that indicate a specific cancer type, or predict whether a certain treatment will be effective.
Here’s how we’re doing it
- Earlier diagnosis of lung cancer using biomarkers in screening
- Developing non-invasive diagnostics for prostate cancer
- Employing machine learning for better medical image analysis in diagnosing cancer
- Refining population breast and cervical cancer screening to prevent overdiagnoses
