The Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH) has upgraded its colon cancer screening tech, thanks to a donation from a women's group formed in support of the hospital's foundation.
Just in time for Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, the hospital introduced two new state-of-the-art tools used for cancer screening that have been added to the CGMH endoscopy suite.
According to a news release from the hospital the first new purchase is the GI Genius Intelligent Endoscopy module, which is powered by artificial intelligence to act as a second set of eyes assisting surgeons during colonoscopies. The device identifies suspicious polyps, learning from a database of over 13 million images to enhance efficiency and accuracy of polyp detection.
"CGMH is one of only a few hospitals in Canada with this groundbreaking technology," states the hospital's news release.
The second new purchase for the endoscopy suite is the Olympus X1, which works with the GI Genius to enhance vibility and precision, making it easier to identify abnormal tissue growths within the colon.
"CGMH is the second hospital in Canada to put this high-definition technology to use," states the news release, adding the clearer picture created by the Olympus X1 will help with earlier detection rates.
“With the Olympus X1 and GI Genius at our fingertips, we’re not just setting the bar - we’re taking it to new heights,” said Dr. Michael Lisi, chief of staff at CGMH, in the news release. “CGMH is now at the forefront of colorectal cancer screening in Canada, and we’re thrilled to offer our patients the absolute best in cutting-edge technology, right here in South Georgian Bay.”
These new additions support CGMH's robust colon cancer screening program which conducts over 2,000 colonoscopies annually.
Colorectal cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Ontario for both men and women. Early detection dramatically increases the chances of survival, with nine out of ten individuals effectively treated when the disease is caught in its early stages.
By harnessing this new technology for cancer screening, CGMH is improving early diagnosis which will ultimately help save lives.
This significant leap forward in CGMH’s colon cancer screening program is made possible through the generous support of CGMH Foundation’s Giving Circle, underscoring our community’s dedication to supporting healthcare innovation.
The Giving Circle is a group of women supporting the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital Foundation by funding projects that will impact the care provided to patients at CGMH.
