Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Faculty Spotlight - Dr. Supriya Kulkarni
When most people think about breast cancer, they think about oncologists and the multidisciplinary team of healthcare workers in hospitals that facilitate treatment. But a big part of that team – and a big part of identifying and diagnosing breast cancer – are the radiologists behind the scenes, like Dr. Supriya Kulkarni, Division Head, Breast Imaging, at U of T’s Department of Medical Imaging.
Dr. Kulkarni, an Associate Professor and internationally renowned breast imaging radiologist within the Joint Department of Medical Imaging (JDMI), has over 23 years’ experience with breast imaging, working in hospitals with patients and on committees developing new standards, processes, and programs to enhance patient care within breast imaging. She understands the important role radiologists play in both detecting and treating breast cancer.
When asked about the role of the breast imaging technologists, she says “Breast imaging technologists are highly specialized and trained in assessing breast diseases and dealing with complex patient scenarios. They are often the first healthcare professional an anxious patient meets and without their specialized skills, it would be impossible to run our services.”
Dr. Kulkarni notes that breast imaging is a rapidly evolving field, with newer imaging techniques continuously being integrated into day-to-day imaging and research, like digital breast tomosynthesis, contrast enhanced mammography, automated ultrasound, positron emission mammography, and advanced parametric MRI and PET scan techniques, among others.
“The goal of all imaging is to not only find small node negative cancers, but to also provide information that allows de-escalating of adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatments,” Dr. Kulkarni explains. “The medical imaging field continues to evolve and is starting to throw a spotlight on AI-driven research using enriched parametric MRI images, which allows us to study in-vivo cancer biology and behaviours.”
To continue growing clinical and research practices within breast imaging, Dr. Kulkarni has established numerous structures to support the department, including instituting University-wide clinical and academic teaching sessions, journal clubs, and interdisciplinary teaching. On top of that, breast imaging division has also hosted the nationally renowned Toronto Breast Imaging Conference through U of T since 2016, as well as the Annual Breast Imaging Update through the Ontario Association of Radiologists, which provides a platform for in-person and virtual programs.
Dr. Kulkarni’s impressive list of career accomplishments span decades, including her involvement in the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP), the largest organized screening program in Canada through participation in multiple committees including Development of Minimum MRI Standards for High-risk Breast Screening, Preoperative Breast MRI Guidelines, and chairing the Transgender People Breast Screening Policy; and is the Breast Imaging Lead for three of the most densely populated health regions in Ontario, serving as the clinical expert for breast screening programs. She is also a board member and education director of the Canadian Society of Breast Imaging where she spearheads all educational initiatives across the country.
She has also worked diligently to promote the teaching of clinical excellence a the local, national, and international level with over 150 didactic lectures, numerous Visiting Professor engagements, and has amassed a variety of awards for medical education and mentorship, including multiple Outstanding Teacher Awards; the Excellence in Mentorship Award from U of T; the Individual Teaching Award for Postgraduate Education from Wightman-Berris Academy; and the Outstanding Contribution to Cancer Education Award from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
As for what’s to come for Dr. Kulkarni, she has plans to continue focusing on her advocacy work and outreach. “Currently, I’m focusing on working with provincial organizations and the ministry of health to provide access to mammographic screening for women between the ages of 40 and 49, as well as increasing awareness and inclusion of non-binary, transgender, and two-spirit people into our breast cancer screening program.”
To recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Kulkarni is hosting multiple workshops, patient engagement webinars, and webinars for family physicians, among others, to spread awareness about the importance of routine mammograms.
“Early detection can make a huge difference in outcomes for patients with breast cancer,” she says. She would like to remind us that “Eligible individuals who are 40 years and above should prioritize breast screening, especially this month.”