Functional Cancer Imaging

What is Functional Cancer Imaging?
Modern medical imaging refers to techniques and processes that non-invasively create images of the internal parts of the human body. They enable physicians and researchers ‘to see’ inside the body for examination and diagnosis of disease, in a non-invasive manner.

How will Cancer Imaging be used?
The combining of two recent technologies, positron emission tomography (PET) and computerized tomography (CT) has provided physicians with a powerful new tool to more accurately diagnose and manage diseases, particularly in the area of oncology. Not only does the PET/CT combination provide better understanding for the diagnosis and staging of cancer, but it is also a post-therapy monitoring tool used to assess response to treatment and the effectiveness of the curative therapy. The PET/CT is a significant enhancement to treatment planning and allows for the most appropriate and effective choice of therapies.

Studies have shown that information gained from PET/CT scans allow clinicians to reduce the number of unnecessary surgeries in lung cancer and lymphomas by 20% and alter planned therapy in over 30% of patients. For many patients, this single procedure, which is highly effective at showing the presence and progress of disease, means fewer invasive tests, faster assessment and greater capacity for personalized treatment.

A Centre of Excellence for Functional Cancer Imaging
In June 2005, the first phase of the Centre was completed with the opening of BC’s first and only publicly funded PET/CT scanner, utilized for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancer at the Vancouver Cancer Centre.

Dr. François Bénard was recently recruited from the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec to implement and lead a comprehensive new research unit that will capitalize on advances in medical imaging technologies. Research into lymphoid, lung, and colorectal cancers are expected to benefit most from the establishment of the program.

Your Support is Needed
We ask you to consider a gift to support the acquisition of vital research equipment needed to establish a translational research program in cancer imaging. Your gift will help us to fully develop the potential of imaging technologies that have only become available in the last few years.

For more information about making a donation to support functional cancer imaging, please contact John Andru or make an online gift here.