Regional Cancer Program Highlights

Advanced Diagnostic Services

When it comes to imaging, the future is now at Southlake’s Diagnostic Imaging Centre.  More diagnostic images, shorter examination times, immediate access to digital images by physicians, greater capacity for more patients to be seen, and improved management and accessibility of diagnostic imaging files all translate to better care.
 
The centrepiece is the Digital Mammography Unit, one of Canada’s first fully digital units.   With the time for each examination significantly reduced because of the advanced technology, estimates are that Southlake will be able to double the number of mammograms provided each year to 20,000 exams.  Even more important is the accuracy of the digital technology which can, for some women, detect 28% more cancers than film mammography. 

The Diagnostic Assessment Centre will play a critical role in the Regional Cancer Program at Southlake and has been designed to provide both rapid and streamlined screening and/or assessment procedures so that, under one roof, Southlake patients will have quick access to all the tests required to make a definitive cancer diagnosis.  The Centre will open with a focus on breast and lung cancer with plans to expand to services for prostate and colorectal cancer.

Breast Diagnostic Assessment Program is a fast-track service for women who require further assessment following suspicious findings in a mammogram, biopsy or physical examination.  In one comfortable location, women will have rapid access to digital mammography, ultrasound, and biopsy, allowing for expedited clinical decisions and shorter time to treatment, if required.  The support of one healthcare provider to coordinate all procedures will be an added benefit. In addition to the obvious clinical benefits, this service will dramatically reduce a woman’s anxiety by moving quickly to a diagnosis and treatment plan.  In fact, the goal is to provide the patient with a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan within two weeks of first examination of a suspicious finding. 

Lung Assessment Program:  Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada and, unlike many other forms of cancer, progresses rapidly with symptoms often surfacing when it is too late for curative treatment.  The Lung Assessment Program will focus on those with the highest risk, with a goal to reduce the timeframe for diagnosis from several months to a few weeks.  An equally important role will be coordinating the management of the patient’s care from referral to diagnosis. 

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Interim Cancer Centre

An innovative Interim Cancer Centre model has been developed at Southlake to provide radiation treatment consultations and support directly on the Southlake campus with a free shuttle service to transport patients to and from their radiation therapy appointments at PMH.  This will reduce trips to Toronto for cancer patients requiring radiation therapy because the radiation consultations with oncologists will occur at Southlake.  When you’re spending three to eight hours in transit to Toronto hospitals for a 15-minute radiation therapy appointment, getting back that additional time is a priceless gift.

High Tech Tools

With the help of technology, Southlake saves lives.  In every area of the hospital, scrutiny is paid to how we can improve the way in which care is delivered, including how we can reduce wait times, get more accurate and timely results, and improve overall outcomes.  As we build the Regional Cancer Program, advanced technologies that achieve these goals will be found throughout.  The exactness of Imaged Guided Radiation Therapy to precisely target the tumour, avoiding the healthy tissue around it, will provide Southlake patients with the most advanced treatment availailable.  Improvements in the diagnosis of colon cancer will come with an investment in CT Colography software which will provide transparent 3-D reconstruction images of the colon and allow for a non-invasive and quick diagnosis of polyps and tumours.

Partnership with Princess Margaret Hospital

Southlake is partnering with one of the top five comprehensive cancer research hospitals in the world.  New discoveries and innovative cancer care for patients globally are happening right here in Canada, at Princess Margaret.  Among PMH’s accomplishments, they are the world leader in cancer stem cell research, image-guided therapeutics, lung cancer research and treatment and patient survivorship program development.
For Southlake patients, our partnership means access to the newest treatment discoveries as soon as they become available.

Caring for the Whole Person

Diagnosing and treating the physical symptoms of cancer are only part of the quality care services that will be offered by Southlake’s Regional Cancer Program team. Attending to a patient’s emotional, social, and spiritual needs at every stage of diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and the final stages of life, is an equally important part of ensuring the best possible care for cancer patients and their families. Within the Regional Cancer Program at Southlake, an expanded team of social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, and the Hospital’s chaplain will work together to launch a series of innovative new psychosocial and palliative care programs and services.

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Regional Cancer Centre Construction Update

Construction of the outpatient Regional Cancer Centre, the centerpiece of Southlake’s Regional Cancer Program, began in August 2007.  Highlights include:

Official construction kickoff First pouring of high density concrete, specially formulated for construction of radiation treatment units. Completion of the only parking garage directly linked to a Regional Cancer Centre in Ontario, providing easy access for patients who will need to visit daily.

The Regional Cancer Centre which is under construction at Prospect Avenue and Grace Street., on the west side of the Southlake campus will serve as the outpatient cancer treatment centre, providing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, follow-up and clinical trials. Radiation therapy, a required treatment for almost 60% of cancer patients, and previously only available in Toronto as the closest site to York Region residents, will be a welcome addition to cancer care services in our region, given the necessity for daily treatments over many weeks.

• radiation treatment
• a 23-bed chemotherapy unit with satellite pharmacy
• three large, outpatient clinics with 20 individual rooms for team-based treatment planning and supportive care
• designated space for clinical trials
• a terrace, healing gardens, and prominent use of natural light and elements known to aid in the healing of mind and body.

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