Life Healthcare highlights the power of PET-CT Scans in cancer diagnosis and treatment on International Day of Radiology – and advocates for its wider adoption in South Africa

On International Day of Radiology, Life Healthcare Group underscores the vital role of nuclear medicine, particularly Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography (PET-CT) scans, in transforming cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Life Healthcare Group believes the integration of PET-CT into standard South African clinical practice, noting its wider availability will significantly improve patient outcomes. “This cutting-edge technology is revolutionising the way we detect and manage cancer, offering significant advantages,” explains Dr Holger Wellman, Oncology Clinical Lead, Life Healthcare.

While various diagnostic tools exist, PET-CT scans provide a unique advantage by visualising cellular activity. This allows specialists to precisely locate tumours, assess the extent of the disease, and personalise treatment plans, often leading to less invasive interventions. The scans are particularly effective for cancers such as breast and prostate cancer.

“PET-CT combines detailed CT images of the body's structure with PET images showing cellular activity. Cancer cells are typically more active and show up brightly on the PET scan, making it easier to detect and pinpoint cancerous lesions,” explains Dr Wellman. “This comprehensive information empowers oncology teams to develop more targeted and effective treatment strategies for each patient.”

Life Healthcare emphasises the importance of integrating PET-CT into standard South African clinical practice.  International evidence shows that PET-CT scans are more cost-effective and accurate for oncology investigations compared to conventional diagnostic scans. However, a Life Healthcare research paper has identified a significant gap in the use of PET-CT scans in South African cancer diagnostic and management practices. The country only performs 20, 000  PET-CT scans annually across the private and public sectors. Whereas the UK performs 231, 000 annually and Australia, 118, 000 annually.

The report highlights that PET-CT imaging yields better diagnostic results and treatment outcomes for breast cancer compared to conventional methods. It mentions that inconsistent funding and referral pathways are major barriers to wider adoption, and suggests that alternative reimbursement models could help overcome these obstacles.

To align with international best practices, the report recommends integrating PET-CT scans into standard clinical practice in South Africa.

PET-CT is also playing an increasingly vital role globally in the fields of cardiology and neurology, aiding in the accurate diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease and dementia and movement disorders. Life Molecular Imaging, a part of Life Healthcare, is at the forefront of these advancements leveraging their expertise in molecular imaging to enhance cardiovascular disease diagnostic precision and patient outcomes and, innovative imaging agents like NeuraCeq® that enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve patient care to support in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

Life Healthcare encourages patients to consult with their specialists and medical aid providers about the potential benefits of PET-CT scans in their cancer diagnosis and treatment journey. “By embracing these advancements in nuclear medicine, we can strive towards better outcomes and improved quality of life for individuals facing a cancer diagnosis,” says Dr Wellman.

For more information on PET-CT scans click here.