Canadian Society of Breast Imaging and Canadian Association of Radiologists Joint Position Statement on COVID-19
Covid 19 statement CSBI_CAR (1)
Dear Members,
In this unprecedented time, every action that we take now can have a profound impact on our patients, our colleagues, technologists and families. To comply with recommendations for social distancing in order to blunt the spread of COVID -19 (novel coronavirus) and avoid significant impact to our patients and staff, the CSBI and CAR recommend that all average risk and high-risk screening mammography, ultrasound and breast MRI be discontinued temporarily with immediate effect. These should be postponed for 6-8 weeks.
In addition to the WHO recommendations for social distancing, this action would be in line with the CDC advisory that medical facilities "reschedule non-urgent outpatient visits".
Our breast imaging patients are generally healthy, and their condition is deemed as non-life threatening where service can be delayed without anticipated change in outcome. Patients who are already screened and have abnormal screening results that are not highly suspicious should be delayed for 6-8 weeks. The feasibility of an assessment for a highly suspicious screening result during the 6-8 weeks of a pandemic wave will depend upon availability of local resources. Cancer diagnostic assessments for higher priority cases should not stop but should be based on level of severity and local hospital policies for abundance of caution.
Please consider postponing all screening work and help flatten the curve of the COVID19 outbreak. Please follow the directives of our public health agencies for further direction. In the meantime, keep safe practices and remember to thank your colleagues, technologists and administrators for their hard work during these difficult times.
Dr. Jean Seely
President, CSBI
Dr. Mike Barry
President, CAR
Approved by CSBI and CAR Board of Directors on March 16, 2020
Énoncé de position conjoint de la Société canadienne de l'imagerie mammaire et de
l'Association canadienne des radiologistes sur COVID-19
Cher Membres,
En cette période sans précédent, chaque action que nous entreprenons maintenant peut avoir un impact profond sur nos patients, nos collègues, les technologues et les familles.
Pour se conformer aux recommandations de distanciation sociale afin de limiter la propagation du COVID -19 (nouveau coronavirus) et éviter un impact significatif sur nos patients et notre personnel, le CSBI et le CAR recommandent que toutes les mammographies de dépistage à risque moyen et à haut risque et l'IRM mammaire et écographie de dépistage soient interrompu temporairement avec effet immédiat. Ceux-ci doivent être reportés de 6 à 8 semaines. En plus des recommandations de l'OMS pour l'éloignement social, cette action serait conforme à l'avis du CDC selon lequel les structures médicales "reprogramment les visites ambulatoires non urgentes".
Nos patientes d'imagerie mammaire sont généralement en bonne santé, et leur état est considéré comme ne mettant pas leur vie en danger lorsque le service peut être retardé sans changement anticipé des résultats. Les patients qui sont déjà dépistées et dont les résultats de dépistage sont anormaux et qui ne sont pas très suspects doivent être retardés de 6 à 8 semaines. La faisabilité d'une évaluation d'un résultat de dépistage très suspect au cours des 6 à 8 semaines d'une vague pandémique dépendra de la disponibilité des ressources locales. Les évaluations diagnostiques du cancer pour les cas de priorité plus élevée ne doivent pas s'arrêter mais doivent être basées sur le niveau de gravité et les politiques des hôpitaux locaux pour plus de prudence. Veuillez envisager d'interrompre tous les travaux de dépistage et aider à aplanir la courbe de l'épidémie de COVID-19.
Veuillez suivre les directives de nos agences de santé publique pour plus d'informations. En attendant, gardez des pratiques sûres et n'oubliez pas de remercier vos collègues, technologues et administrateurs pour leur travail
acharné en ces temps difficiles.
Dr. Jean Seely
Présidente, CSBI
Dr. Mike Barry
Président, CAR
Breast Screening Forum 2020, Third Annual CSBI Annual General Meeting and Tomosynthesis Worshops
April 3-4-5, 2020. Hyatt Regency Vancouver.
Dear Colleagues:
After careful consideration we have made the decision to cancel the Breast Screening Forum 2020 and the Tomosynthesis Workshops, planned for Vancouver BC April 3-4-5, 2020. This is a disappointing but prudent decision as the situation continues to evolve internationally.
As many of you may be aware, due to the COVID-19, many health organizations have put in place bans on work-related international and non-essential domestic travel for their clinicians until further notice. In addition, many small and large medical conferences and meetings are also being cancelled. These measures have been put in place out of public health concerns and human resource issues.
We encourage you to take steps to immediately cancel any travel arrangements you may have made including hotel and flights. We will be returning registration fees to those who have registered on the website. You should begin to see these refunds appear over the next few weeks.
We were looking forward to many of the presentations that were planned for the event and would like to thank the faculty and presenters who have invested their time in preparing for the event.
We would like to thank our partners, BC Screening Program and BCRS, as well as our many sponsors who were looking forward to the event.
If you have any questions please send them to info@csbi.ca .
Breast Screening Forum 2020 planning committee and the CSBI
About CSBI
The idea of forming a group dedicated to breast imaging in Canada has been going on for some time. Professionals interested in breast imaging have been engaged in the European Society of Breast Imaging as well as the Society of Breast Imaging in the United States. Recognizing that there was a need for a place to discuss uniquely Canadian issues related to breast imaging, the CSBI was founded in October 2017 with the support of the CAR. Founding members include senior leading breast public/media from across the country including Drs. Jean Seely (Ontario), Nancy Wadden (Newfoundland), Shiela Appavoo (Alberta), Anabel Scaranelo (Ontario), Yves Loisel (Quebec) and Stephanie Schofield (Nova Scotia).
The CSBI is a home for Canadian breast imaging professionals and patients to discuss best practices, pressures on the system and to celebrate successes. The CSBI will also be a focused vehicle to bring breast imaging stories from Canada to the rest of the world and vice versa.
Mission
To save life years and improve quality of life through early detection of breast cancer, to promote excellence in breast imaging and quality education and to provide trusted information to patients, physicians, and organizations across Canada.
Purpose
- to establish a society for the improvement and dissemination of breast imaging
- to promote high-quality breast imaging that is patient-centred
- to improve the quality of medical education in the practice of breast imaging
- to foster research in all aspects of breast imaging
- to provide a medium for the exchange of ideas among clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals involved with breast imaging
- to provide meetings for presentation and discussion of papers and the dissemination of knowledge in the area of breast imaging
- to establish a channel for publication of scientific reports in the field of breast imaging; and
- to respond to public/media inquiries concerning breast imaging.
Join CSBI – An invitation from
Dr. Jean Seely, founding President
I welcome you to be part of our interdisciplinary membership consisting of patient representatives, imaging specialists, clinicians, researchers and allied health professionals from across Canada:
- Patient Representatives
- Radiologists
- Medical Physicists
- Breast Imaging Technologists (Mammo/US)
- Breast Imaging Technologists (MRI)
- GP or Family Med Physicians
- Radiation Oncologists
- Oncologists
- Surgeons
- Pathologists
- Geneticists
- Nurse Clinicians
- Psychiatrists
- Social Workers
- Epidemiologists
2020 CSBI Membership Fees
- Physician (non CAR member): $150 + 13% HST.
- Physician (CAR Member): $100 + 13% HST
- Trainee (Resident, Fellow, Student): Free
- Technologist/Sonographer: $100 + 13% HST
- Other Healthcare Professional: $100 +13% HST
- Military/Retired: $100 + 13% HST
- Patient Representatives: $100 + 13% HST
- Corporate Members: $150 + 13% HST
For sponsorship information please contact Sandra Leslie at info@csbi.ca