The new low-radiation mammogram is now in Canada

Time for some good news for Canadian women needing regular mammograms: Health Canada recently approved the Sectra MicroDose Mammography machines, which provide the highest image resolution with just half the radiation.

The system is already used in 19 other countries, and it’s a breakthrough technology, says Mats Danielsson, founder of the Sectra mammography division headquartered in Sweden. The basic principle lies in the sensitive sensors, he explains. “It’s just like using a sensitive camera to take nice photographs with limited light. This way, patients can receive the same high quality image with half the dose.”

The system also allows for quicker and more comfortable examinations. While there are currently only four locations in Canada centralized in the Greater Toronto Area — the first installations in North America — Danielsson says there is a lot of interest to expand on the Canuck home-front. “We’re excited about the positive feedback we’ve gotten so far. It will be an exciting time to come.”