At 29, Megan was newly married and eager to start a new chapter in her life when she discovered a lump under her right armpit. This discovery marked the beginning of her journey as a patient, forcing her to navigate the healthcare system to secure urgent testing.
“I felt very anxious to get my screening done and then a biopsy to confirm what we suspected,” she says. “My family doctor was so concerned that he looked at several hospitals in Toronto to get a mammogram done quickly. SHN was the fastest. It wasn’t long after my test that I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, and my life changed almost overnight. I was devastated and terrified at the same time.”
Within a week of her diagnosis, Megan underwent multiple imaging tests, including a bilateral breast MRI, CT scan, bone scan, and repeated ultrasound biopsies to investigate the other breast and lymph nodes. “Once you receive your diagnosis, things move quickly, and you need a number of imaging tests right away,” she says. “It is even more overwhelming learning where to go for services when they are all in different locations.”
The new Diagnostic Imaging Department, funded by the Northpine Foundation as part of a $20 million investment, will consolidate all imaging services into one accessible location at SHN’s General site.
“The design of the new department will allow our teams to provide the best possible experience significantly improving patient coordination and reducing the need for multiple visits to different locations, ” says Joanne Fernandes, Director of Diagnostic Imaging at SHN.
The department will feature Scarborough’s first 3T MRI, which provides high-quality images essential for the early detection of aggressive cancers. It will also expand its breast clinic services with three mammography rooms, increasing annual screenings from 9,500 to 15,000, coinciding with Ontario’s lowered recommended age for screenings from 50 to 40.
Jia Inacio, Diagnostic Imaging Manager, says, “With advanced imaging quality and AI support, our team can identify issues with greater precision and confidence.” This is especially beneficial for patients with dense breast tissue, as advanced screening tools like tomosynthesis improve early detection rates.
Thanks to the Northpine Foundation’s support, SHN is creating the most advanced imaging facility Scarborough has ever seen. For Megan and others facing serious health challenges, this development offers hope by delivering critical imaging and diagnostic tools that help patients navigate their medical journeys with faster access and greater ease. The new department is set to welcome patients in early 2025.