Physical sciences

Administrative Assistant: Linda Gargaro
Phone: 416-480-6100 ext. 62363
Email: linda.gargaro@sunnybrook.ca

Education:

• MD, 1969, University of Toronto, Canada
• Diploma, 1973, medical radiology, U of T, Canada
• FRCPC, 1974, diagnostic radiology, U of T, Canada

Appointments and Affiliations:

• Affiliate scientist, Physical Sciences, Odette Cancer Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
• Radiologist, division of breast imaging, department of medical imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Associate professor, department of medical imaging, U of T

Research Foci:

• Breast cancer screening
• Advanced applications of digital mammography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging

Research Summary:

Dr. Jong provided clinical input into the development of digital mammography. Her insight into the limitations of film-screen mammography and the requirements for digital mammography helped guide the design of this technology. She helped conceptualize advanced clinical applications such as contrast-enhanced digital mammography. She provided clinical leadership in Toronto for the Digital Mammography Imaging Screening Trial that was funded by the U.S. National Cancer Institute. This study provided data on the accuracy of digital versus film-screen mammography in detecting breast cancer in asymptomatic women, and resulted in increased use of digital mammography.

Dr. Jong was the principal investigator in Toronto for the American College of Radiology Imaging Network and Avon Foundation research protocol "Screening Breast Ultrasound in High-Risk Women." This protocol demonstrated the incremental benefit of bilateral whole breast screening ultrasound over mammography, and the additional cancer detection of a single magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination after three years of mammographic and ultrasound screening.

Dr. Jong was a collaborator in the Surveillance Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasound for Women at High Risk for Hereditary Breast Cancer protocol. Results from this study influenced the clinical transition to routine screening of these women with MRI. She provided clinical feedback on the interventional techniques developed here for biopsy of lesions seen only on MRI.

Her current research involves a lead-in study for the Tomosynthesis Mammographic Screening Trial comparing tomosynthesis plus digital mammography versus digital mammography alone in routine screening.

Selected Publications:

See current publications list at PubMed.

1. Jong RA, Yaffe MJ, Skarpathiotakis M, Shumak RS, Danjoux N, Gunasekara A, Plewes DB. Contrast-enhanced digital mammography: initial clinical experience. Radiology. 2003 Sep; 228(3):842–850. 
2. Cole EB, Pisano ED, Kistner EO, Muller KE, Brown ME, Feig SA, Jong RA, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of digital mammography in patients with dense breasts who underwent problem-solving mammography: effects of image processing and lesion type. Radiology. 2003 Jan; 226: 153–160. 
3. Jong RA, Fishell E, Little L, Lockwood G and Boyd NF. Mammographic signs of potential relevance to breast cancer risk: the agreement of radiologists' classification. Eur J Cancer Prev. 1996 Aug;5(4):281–286.
4. Goodman DNF, Boutross-Tadross O and Jong RA. Mammographic features of pure mucinous carcinoma of the breast with pathological correlation. Can Assoc Radiol J. 1995 Aug; 46(4): 296–301. 
5. Boyd NF, Jong RA, Yaffe MJ, Tritchler DL, Lockwood G and Zylak CJ. A critical appraisal of the Canadian National Breast Cancer Screening Study. Radiology. 1993 Dec; 189:661–663.

Related News and Stories:

• Wind at their back: SRI joins forces with GE Healthcare (Research Report, 2004-2006)
• Enter another dimension: digital tomosynthesis demystified (Research Report, 2004-2006)
• Spotlight on breast cancer research: let's get digital (Research Report, 2002-2004)