Understanding the Pangea project

The Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine welcomes you to our inaugural Epatient publication aimed at
providing doctors and patients information to help them understand how this vibrant area of medicine can help in
diagnosing and treating often difficult medical conditions. At one time, nuclear medicine was sometimes called
“unclear medicine” because the pattern of dots produced by the Polaroid cameras which made the images appeared
more as Rorschach psychological testing cards than medical images to untrained eyes.

Today, Nuclear Medicine provides high detail two and three-dimensional images looking at how the body functions
and what may be wrong in disease. Additionally the new generation of cameras have CTs or even MRs which give
anatomic information providing precise location and information. These images are from the radioactive molecules,
called medical isotopes, injected which demonstrate specific functions in the body. There are numerous medical
isotopes in use and more under development demonstrating more detailed ability to target precisely certain functionsand diseases.

Some had predicted the death of nuclear medicine several decades ago, however far from this, the field continues to
expand and provide even more information and diagnosis and as well vital treatment options for patients with serious disease. With the move to what is called personalized medicine where diagnosis and treatments are tailored to the individual patient, nuclear medicine more than any other specialty has the tools to be able to further this exciting reality.

The Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine strongly believes the future is bright and in these days of electronic
communication and information systems we provide you with information and tools to understand and be able to use it for better health. Enjoy your time looking at this emagazine.

Feedback is always welcome at the contact information for the Association.

THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF NUCLEAR MEDECINE

P.O. Box 4383, Station ‘E’

Ottawa, Ontario K1S 2L0

613-882-5097

canm@canm-acmn.ca

Business Hours:

Monday – Friday

8:00 – 12:00 / 1:00 – 4:00