Marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Bluewater Health has announced the implementation of advanced new technology designed to significantly improve breast cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment for patients across Sarnia-Lambton. The technological upgrades, which include both a surgical localization system and sophisticated MRI analysis software, reinforce the hospital's commitment to optimizing patient experience and outcomes close […]
Marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Bluewater Health has announced the implementation of advanced new technology designed to significantly improve breast cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment for patients across Sarnia-Lambton.
The technological upgrades, which include both a surgical localization system and sophisticated MRI analysis software, reinforce the hospital's commitment to optimizing patient experience and outcomes close to home.
Bluewater Health has introduced two key pieces of technology:
Savi Scout Technology: This surgical localization system allows surgeons to precisely locate non-palpable tumours before surgery. This innovation leads to greater surgical accuracy, enables more conservative tissue removal, and results in improved cosmetic outcomes and faster recovery times for patients.
CADstream Software: This tool strengthens breast MRI analysis, assisting radiologists in interpreting complex scans more effectively. The result is more accurate diagnoses and a higher degree of confidence in treatment planning.
Dr. Youssef Almalki, Medical Director of Diagnostic Imaging at Bluewater Health, stated, “With advancements like Savi Scout and CADstream, we are able to offer patients the very best in breast imaging and treatment planning close to home.”
Dr. Colin Way, General Surgeon at Bluewater Health, added, "This technology allows us to target tumours with greater precision, which not only improves surgical accuracy but also supports better cosmetic results and faster recovery for our patients.”
These upgrades are integrated into Bluewater Health’s multidisciplinary breast care program. This collaborative approach unites a team of specialists, including general surgeons, oncologists, pathologists, and radiologists. The team works in close partnership to ensure that every patient receives personalized, timely, and coordinated care from the moment an abnormality is detected through diagnosis, surgery, and follow-up treatment, which helps ease patient anxiety.
The hospital's Breast Assessment Program offers a full spectrum of services, including screening mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis, ultrasound, breast MRI, and contrast-enhanced mammography.
While new technology is expanding treatment options, early detection through mammography remains critical. The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) offers free screening for patients aged 40–74.
The average mammogram takes less than 10 minutes and is essential for detecting cancer when treatment is most effective.
The hospital notes that for women aged 40 – 49, screening is particularly important, as 13% of all breast cancer cases in Ontario are diagnosed in this age group, and over 85% of all breast cancer patients have no family history of the disease.
Appointments can be self-referred online at bluewaterhealth.ca/mammography or by calling (519) 464-4400 ext. 4515.
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