The vision for this groundbreaking initiative is that when completely operational, women and men suspected of having breast cancer will be able to receive all their tests, diagnosis and treatment plan in one day at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Research has shown that a major stress factor for individuals with suspicious breast lesions is enduring the wait time between diagnostic tests, results and treatment plans that can often take five to eight weeks. With the Rapid Diagnosis initiative, within one day, patients -- who must be referred by their family physician -- are able to have a physical exam, mammogram, ultrasound and tissue biopsy (if needed), and receive the results. If given a positive diagnosis, a treatment plan is devised and given to the patient. Referral can then be made to breast surgeons, either at The Princess Margaret or closer to home.

The evolving clinical program, using a new pathology processor, began in 2006 at The Princess Margaret under the leadership of Dr. David McCready, a surgical oncologist and head of the breast cancer program. Initial funding was provided by The Weekend to End Breast Cancer. Currently, the rapid diagnostic program sees six to eight patients each week. Overwhelming response has confirmed the need to expand the program and partner with other hospitals so that, following diagnosis, access to treatment can be improved as well.

To date, 550 patients have gone through the rapid diagnostic process at The Princess Margaret. In the next few months, this historic donation will enable the centre to expand to diagnose 15 patients per week (750 per year), and will increase exponentially with a vision of diagnosing 3,000 patients per year by the time the program is running at full capacity in 2013, marking a tenfold increase from current volumes.

“This extremely generous gift allows Princess Margaret Hospital to evolve its current clinical program on breast cancer diagnosis into a fully functioning Rapid Diagnostic Centre,” stated Dr. McCready. “Thanks to Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight, we will be able to provide a new model of diagnosis for Toronto area women and men.”

Dr. Mary Gospodarowicz, Medical Director, the Princess Margaret Hospital Cancer Program, commented, “The Rapid Diagnostic Centre fits in perfectly with The Princess Margaret’s goal to transform patient care.”

Emmanuelle Gattuso began providing support through fundraising events like Laugh Lines, and encouraged Dr. McCready and The Princess Margaret to develop an expanded vision for the future. “This innovative approach to diagnosing breast cancer will not only change the lives of a great many of the patients diagnosed with breast cancer in Ontario every year, but will also help make our medical care system more patient-friendly,” said Emmanuelle Gattuso, herself a breast cancer survivor. “We are thrilled to be able to contribute to the development of the Rapid Diagnostic program.”

“With so much discouraging news these days, this gift from Emmanuelle and Allan is simply outstanding news for women and men suspected of having breast cancer,” added Paul Alofs, the President and CEO of The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.