September 27, 2024

$100,000 Donation from CIBC Supports Early and Accurate Prostate Cancer Detection

During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, our Foundation is pleased to announce and acknowledge a new $100,000 donation from CIBC. The gift has been earmarked to support the purchase of Magnetic Resonance Imaging – Ultrasound (MRI-US) Fusion Biopsy related equipment at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.  

MRI-US Fusion Biopsy technology pairs the high-resolution imagery of an MRI with the localized accuracy of an ultrasound. Together, these two scans create a 3-D model of the prostate to help radiologists to better locate, identify and diagnose prostate cancer. This revolutionary technology, considered the standard of care for suspected incidence of prostate cancer, was introduced to St. Joe’s last year because of contributions from our community. Dr. Srinivasan Harish, the newly appointed Chief of Diagnostic Imaging at St. Joe’s explains why MRI-US Fusion Biopsy technology is so effective. 

“A traditional biopsy would survey tissues from across the entire prostate and repeat biopsies were often needed to ensure nothing of clinical significance was missed,” explains Dr. Harish. “But now, with the improved accuracy of an MRI-US fusion biopsy, our team can pinpoint the most suspicious or aggression lesions, while leaving others that are not of clinical significance alone. The result is a faster, more accurate diagnosis, and less invasive testing and unnecessary biopsies.”  

CIBC’s donation has funded an additional probe for the MRI Fusion Biopsy machine and a sterilization unit. With these pieces of equipment, St. Joe’s will be able to provide this service to an increased number of patients annually. (St. Joe’s is the regional lead for urology making the Hospital a hub for prostate cancer diagnosis, surgery and care.) 

For nearly 30 years, CIBC has been committed to advancing cancer care in Canada. As prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canadian men, and one of the least preventable forms of cancer, every gift to support early and accurate detection and diagnosis has a marked impact on the lives of patients. We’re grateful to CIBC for their generous gift to St. Joe’s.