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It’s here where modern imaging is coming into its own. For hard-to-find diseases like prostate cancer, MRI scans help ensure a correct diagnosis, explains Mercy Radiology’s Medical Director Dr Remy Lim, who specialises in interpreting prostate MRI scans. ‘‘It’s the only way you can have a… View moreIt’s here where modern imaging is coming into its own. For hard-to-find diseases like prostate cancer, MRI scans help ensure a correct diagnosis, explains Mercy Radiology’s Medical Director Dr Remy Lim, who specialises in interpreting prostate MRI scans. ‘‘It’s the only way you can have a really good look at the prostate itself and pick up lymph nodes and possible cancers.’’ Because of its hard-to-reach location, traditional prostate biopsies could miss certain areas and provide false reassurance. Previously, patients diagnosed with low grade cancer on biopsy who opted for ‘active surveillance’ had to rely on MRI to confirm no aggressive lesions had been missed. However, with the improvement of MRI, there’s a growing international trend to scan first. As Dr Lim notes, this gives the urologist a ‘‘roadmap’’ to find the cancer and can also potentially help patients avoid unneeded biopsies.
‘‘A landmark study in The Lancet (medical journal) last year estimates that 27 per cent of men could avoid having a biopsy altogether.’’ In more serious cases, it’s equally useful for getting a correct diagnosis. Dr Lim recalls one case where a patient was referred for an MRI and a potentially aggressive lesion was detected. A biopsy was performed with a normal result, but because of the worrying MRI result, they decided to perform a prostate cancer PET-CT scan.
For this patient, his PET-CT result confirmed the MRI. This meant a repeat biopsy was needed, from which the cancer was eventually confirmed. ‘‘If we had performed just a biopsy without the MRI, the cancer would have remained undiagnosed, would have grown and potentially killed the patient.’’ Because of its invaluable services, access to MRI is critical. To meet this need, Mercy Radiology recently installed a new MRI scanner in Silverdale, serving a growing community between Albany and Whangarei who would have previously had to travel far to get scanned. ‘‘Instead of getting people to come into the city, we wanted to have the technology come to them,’’ Dr Lim says. ‘‘It fits our ambition to ensure we’re focusing on what patients need.’’
See Mercy Radiology at Silverdale Medical Centre, 7 Polarity Rise.
Phone 0800 497297 or visit www.radiology.co.nz.
Let’s hear it for the amazing Fire and Emergency volunteers who help keep our communities safe.
This National Volunteer Week, head to the LetsHearIt landing page on Neighbourly and share a few words about why you’re thankful for what our volunteers do to keep our communities safe. We’ll … View moreLet’s hear it for the amazing Fire and Emergency volunteers who help keep our communities safe.
This National Volunteer Week, head to the LetsHearIt landing page on Neighbourly and share a few words about why you’re thankful for what our volunteers do to keep our communities safe. We’ll make sure they hear your message loud and clear.
Knowing how much we value their sacrifices is part of what keeps Fire and Emergency New Zealand volunteers going. Thank you for letting them know how grateful you are for everything they do.
As more and more of us try to do our bit for the environment, we'd love to hear what habits you've changed.
Have you gone off-grid? Found a way to create an environmentally home? Maybe you've given something up or swapped it for a greener alternative...? … View moreAs more and more of us try to do our bit for the environment, we'd love to hear what habits you've changed.
Have you gone off-grid? Found a way to create an environmentally home? Maybe you've given something up or swapped it for a greener alternative...? Click here to share your eco tips, tricks and experiences and we'll publish a selection of the best.
Tourists arriving in New Zealand may soon have to pay to enter the country under a Government proposed international visitor levy.
The proposal would impact international visitors entering New Zealand for 12 months or less and would be at a rate between $25 to $35.
Do you think international… View moreTourists arriving in New Zealand may soon have to pay to enter the country under a Government proposed international visitor levy.
The proposal would impact international visitors entering New Zealand for 12 months or less and would be at a rate between $25 to $35.
Do you think international visitors should be charged a levy to enter New Zealand?
Does your community group help families and young people in your local area and need of more funds to support the great work you do? Your local The Warehouse store is now calling for applications to become a partner for our Customer Choice ‘Bags for good’ Programme. In the last financial year … View moreDoes your community group help families and young people in your local area and need of more funds to support the great work you do? Your local The Warehouse store is now calling for applications to become a partner for our Customer Choice ‘Bags for good’ Programme. In the last financial year over $529,000 was raised for 279 community partners across NZ. Curious? For more information or begin the application click here.
Applications close on the 23rd of June.
Rising rents in Whangarei are forcing increasing numbers of people to live in cars, cabins, caravans…
Resene has just released the latest Habitat plus, full of inspiring ideas to help you bring out the best in your home with wallpaper. Pick up your FREE copy at your local Resene ColorShop. Make sure you view the extensive wallpaper library while you're in store; there's something to suit … View moreResene has just released the latest Habitat plus, full of inspiring ideas to help you bring out the best in your home with wallpaper. Pick up your FREE copy at your local Resene ColorShop. Make sure you view the extensive wallpaper library while you're in store; there's something to suit all tastes from neutral to bold, pattern to texture, fun to traditional, striped to botanical.
Housing affordability is getting worse for Kiwis - especially in Auckland.
About four in five people renting are unable to comfortably afford mortgage payments, recent Government statistics show. Many Kiwis are fleeing expensive cities like Auckland in search of affordable housing in the … View moreHousing affordability is getting worse for Kiwis - especially in Auckland.
About four in five people renting are unable to comfortably afford mortgage payments, recent Government statistics show. Many Kiwis are fleeing expensive cities like Auckland in search of affordable housing in the regions - and they're not looking back.
So, in your current situation are you able to afford your own home?
A 17-year-old Kamo High School student has been judged one of the top 10 songwriters in the country …
Whether or not primary school teachers resort to industrial action will be put to a vote in the next…
The 2018 Northland Junior Disability Sports Day saw 35 young people participate in seven adapted …
Residents opposing a proposed state housing development in Puriri Park Rd, Whangarei have voted to c…
People with a heart for Whangārei have a chance to purchase a piece of its past history. The Whangā…
National Volunteer Week is next week! (17-23 June). We’ve been busy collecting quotes to reflect our NVW theme:
“Volunteers, The Heart of our Community – By many, the work will be completed, Mā tini, mā mano, ka rapa te whai.”
#NVW2018
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