Dr. Ashis Chawla, urologist at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, stands in the new Transperineal Prostate Biopsy Program

Donor support in health care is always vital. But when a donation fast-tracks the launch of a program designed to improve cancer diagnosis, the donation has even more impact.

In October, St. Joseph’s Health Centre launched the Transperineal Prostate Biopsy Program with donor support from the 2024 Cycle 4 St. Joe’s fundraiser. A team of cyclists and an anonymous donor pledged their donation funds to the Urology department at St. Joseph’s, with the goal of improving patient access to prostate biopsies.

“One of my patients told me about the long wait times for prostate biopsies at St. Joseph’s and that they needed to travel to St. Michael’s Hospital for the procedure. I had raised money for other equipment at St. Joseph’s in the past, so this seemed like an important cause for fundraising,” says Dr. George Vincent, one of the leaders of the cyclist team.

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Before the program launched, prostate biopsies at St. Joseph’s were performed along with all other biopsies in the Diagnostic Imaging department. Now, with a designated space in the Cystoscopy Suite in the Barnicke Wing, the new program allows the urology team to focus their attention and expertise on prostate biopsies, opening much-needed capacity in Diagnostic Imaging.

Madeleine Marn is the Interim Director of Surgery and Mobility at St. Joseph’s and oversees the new Program. “We were seeing patients decide not to have their biopsies at St. Joseph’s because of the wait times in Diagnostic Imaging. With this new program, we’re sending our patients to the appropriate department and biopsies are performed by a urologist,” says Madeleine. “And because we’re increasing access to prostate biopsies in the west end of the city, we are improving care for our community.”

With the significant donor support, the program procured a new ultrasound system essential for taking detailed images of the prostate gland and distinguishing between cancer and benign conditions. The urologist can then collect an accurate tissue sample – a more refined process that leads to faster diagnosis.

“The ultrasound system yields a better diagnosis since it offers real-time images. It’s also a safer and more comfortable technique for the patient because it’s less invasive than other imaging like an MRI,” says Madeleine.

The new ultrasound system is essential technology in St. Joseph’s Transperineal Prostate Biopsy Program

Opening capacity and continuing to improve health care processes is at the core of the prostate biopsy program. In the long run, this program opens up access to care and services for a larger patient population, closing an important loop of care at St. Joseph’s.

And for Dr. George Vincent: “It’s a win-win situation. St. Joseph’s now has equipment that they didn’t have before and it’s directly helping patients. If you have an interest in where you work, you have to stand up and make a difference.”

By Christine Davidson

Photos by Katie Cooper

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