Ontario is making positron emission tomography (PET) scanning a publicly insured health service available to cancer and cardiac patients under conditions where PET scans have been proven to be clinically effective.
PET scanning is a nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging exam. PET scanning can provide information on both the location and the extent of the metabolic activity of abnormal tissues such as cancer and it has the potential to identify the areas of abnormal metabolic activity that is not always found through the use of MRIs or CT scans. For the services that will be insured, PET is useful in determining the stage or extent of some cancers to aid in treatment decisions. PET has also been determined to be useful in making treatment decisions in certain advanced heart conditions.
Ontario’s decision has been informed by advice received from Ombudsman Andre Marin. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will ensure that resources are in place to continue clinical evaluations for additional health indications where PET scanning may prove beneficial. In addition, the ministry is committed to assessing and evaluating future technologies in an expeditious and transparent manner. For individuals with indications for which PET scans are not currently funded, physicians will continue to be able to make a request through the PET Access Program, where each application for funding is considered on a case-by-case basis. The ministry will work towards making this process and the decision-making behind it more transparent, and ensure that resources are available to process applications in a timely manner.