Radiation-Free Precision in Breast Surgery

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation was able to fund a new Sentimag Breast Surgery Platform and Magtrace lymphatic tracer tor the Red Deer Hospital Centre.

This innovative system offers a radiation-free, patient-first approach to sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancer surgery, replacing traditional radioactive isotopes and harsh blue dyes with magnetic technology.

During a Wetlab Education Session on March 26, surgeons had the opportunity to work directly with Sentimag, the handheld magnetic detection platform, and Magtrace, the iron-oxide-based, non-radioactive tracer. As Dr. Jennifer Schendel noted, this process eliminates radiation exposure for both patients and healthcare teams.

Magtrace also offers meaningful benefits for patient experience. Because it can be injected days or even weeks before surgery, patients avoid the stress and discomfort of same-day injections, and surgical teams gain greater flexibility in scheduling. The tracer also avoids the allergic reactions and permanent skin staining sometimes associated with blue dye.

By combining proven clinical performance with a safer, more streamlined workflows, Sentimag and Magtrace support more personalized and efficient breast cancer care. Donor support played a crucial role in giving our surgical teams access to this leading-edge technology and ensuring patients in our community benefit from the latest advancements in breast cancer treatment.