Carol Richardson explains how cancer research has shaped her personally and professionally.

I was always interested in working in an area that had real-world applications and would improve human health.

My first full-time job was in research studying how a substance called surfactant could help treat premature babies with respiratory issues.

From there, my research work has been on the molecular basis of memory, diabetes, and medical imaging. I am currently working with a team of researchers that is focused on developing new imaging techniques to detect and treat cancer. Every day in my work, I see real-world applications that will improve the lives of those with cancer.

As with most people, I have a number of links to cancer. My mother had breast cancer with multiple recurrences. Because of cancer research, tests were developed that allowed my mother to be tested and a genetic mutation that caused her breast cancer was identified. This explained why she, her sister and a number of her nieces had breast cancer.

Knowing my family history of breast cancer, I started getting mammograms when I was 35. It was through cancer research that new digital mammography and MRI techniques were developed so that over the years, my cancer screening was with lower dose radiation and more sensitive technology, making them safer and more accurate.

My husband has been monitoring his PSA for years. Last year, his PSA levels reached the point where it was time to start taking further steps to see if he has prostate cancer. Through cancer research, new MRI techniques are available to detect changes in his prostate, and new ultrasound technologies are available to guide needles to biopsy suspicious areas of his prostate. Research has also led to new protocols to monitor men for progression of prostate cancer. He is currently in the monitoring phase, and we are pleased to see that research is leading to new technologies that will improve detection and, if necessary, treatment of his prostate cancer.

Through my professional life, my own health, and the health of my family, cancer research really has changed my life.

Carol Richardson is a research manager with the OICR Imaging Program and the corporate secretary for the Centre for Imaging Technology Commercialization. When she isn’t working with the imaging research team, she is figuring out how many days of skiing she can get in this winter.