New technology improves precision of breast cancer surgery at Alberta hospital

Medicine Hat Regional Hospital introduces magnetic localization technology to support more precise breast cancer procedures and improve surgical scheduling.

Patients undergoing breast cancer surgery in southeastern Alberta now have access to advanced technology designed to improve surgical precision, streamline procedures and provide greater flexibility in scheduling treatment.

Medicine Hat Regional Hospital has introduced the Sentimag Magnetic Localization System and Magseed technology, giving surgeons new tools to locate and remove breast lesions that may be difficult to identify through physical examination.

The hospital successfully completed its first procedures using the technology on August 28, 2026, according to an announcement from the Medicine Hat Health Foundation on October 14.

Improving precision during breast cancer surgery

The Sentimag system uses magnetic detection technology to help surgeons locate targeted breast tissue during an operation.

A small magnetic marker, known as a Magseed, can be placed in or near a suspicious breast lesion before surgery. Surgeons then use the Sentimag detection system to identify the marker’s location, allowing them to target the tissue requiring removal.

The technology is particularly useful for non-palpable breast lesions — abnormalities that cannot be felt during a physical examination but may be identified through mammography or other diagnostic imaging.

The hospital has also introduced a Trident HD Imaging Unit in its Diagnostic Imaging department.

This equipment allows surgical teams to examine removed tissue during an operation, helping confirm that the targeted lesion and magnetic marker have been successfully removed.

The combination of magnetic localization and intraoperative imaging provides additional tools to support surgical decision-making.

Greater flexibility for patients and surgical teams

One of the technology’s significant advantages is its potential to simplify surgical scheduling.

Traditional wire localization procedures generally require patients to have a guide wire inserted on the same day as their surgery.

Magseed markers, however, can be placed days or even weeks before the procedure.

This allows hospitals to separate the localization appointment from the operation, potentially reducing scheduling conflicts between diagnostic imaging departments and operating rooms.

Dr. Alisha Tessier, the surgeon who led the implementation of Magseed technology at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, identified improved scheduling flexibility as an important benefit for patients and healthcare teams.

The approach may help hospitals make more efficient use of operating room capacity while reducing the number of procedures patients must complete on their surgery date.

Supporting regional cancer care

The new equipment also supports sentinel lymph node procedures through the use of Magtrace, a magnetic tracer that helps surgeons identify lymph nodes for assessment.

The first procedure performed at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital using the new technology combined breast lesion localization with sentinel lymph node biopsy.

The introduction of the equipment is part of a broader initiative to strengthen breast health services in southeastern Alberta.

Earlier this year, the Medicine Hat Health Foundation announced the development of a comprehensive pilot Breast Health Program at the hospital, supported by the Yuill Family Foundation.

The program aims to improve access to breast health services and expand the diagnostic and treatment options available to patients in the region.

Expanding access to specialized care

For patients living outside major urban centres, access to specialized cancer services can involve additional travel, scheduling challenges and time away from work or family.

Introducing advanced surgical technology at regional hospitals can help reduce some of these barriers by allowing more procedures to be performed closer to home.

The Medicine Hat Health Foundation emphasized that established breast lesion localization methods remain safe and effective. The new magnetic system provides an additional clinical option rather than replacing existing techniques.

The investment reflects continuing efforts to strengthen regional healthcare capacity and provide patients with access to modern cancer treatment technologies within their communities.

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