The 2009-2010 Annual report is now available (in French only).

Informative note prepared by Carole St-Hilaire with the collaboration of Geneviève Martin. In French only.

AETMIS has assessed the suitability and feasibility of a screening program for abdominal aortic aneurysms by ultrasound in Québec by applying the matrix of recognized criteria for screening programs and studied the findings of the scientific literature as well as the organizational, economic, legal and ethical issues associated with implementation of such a program.

Informative note prepared by François Pierre Dussault. In French only.

In Québec, about 6000 women will be diagnosed in 2009 with breast cancer, which is the most frequent cancer site amongst women. Currently, with population screening mammography and improved imaging techniques, breast cancer is diagnosed at earlier stages and with a lower risk of lymph node invasion, the most significant prognostic factor in early-stage breast cancer. Therefore, patients are more often eligible to less invasive surgeries. Among those surgical techniques, there is sentinel lymph node biopsy or sentinel node biopsy. In some breast cancer cases, it can replace axillary dissection, a traditionally used technique that involves the removing of 15 or so lymph nodes from the axilla for anatomical pathology examination. This technique is associated with non-negligible postoperative morbidity, however. Using sentinel node biopsy would in consequence compromise less the quality of life of those affected by breast cancer.