In Conversation with: Dr. Alyzée Sibtain
Dr. Alyzée Sibtain earned her medical degree and completed her residency at the University of Alberta—including general medicine and advanced subspecialty training in cardiac imaging and breast interventions.
As a diagnostic radiologist, Dr. Sibtain manages a wide spectrum of responsibilities, from routine screenings and complex diagnostic assessments to ultrasound- and mammogram-guided breast biopsies and pre-surgical procedures such as needle wire localization.
Watch The Interview with Dr. Sibtain:
Navigating the Diagnostic Journey
Patients enter the breast imaging department through two distinct pathways: routine screening or symptomatic presentation. Women visit the clinic without symptoms for routine mammograms, where radiologists review prior images alongside current studies to detect subtle changes, such as new masses or microcalcifications.
Dr. Sibtain explains that if a patient feels a palpable lump, whether discovered during a self-exam, in the shower, or by noticing changes in skin or nipple appearance, they first consult their primary care physician for an exam and a requisition.
Even when a routine screening mammogram appears normal, Dr. Sibtain stresses that any symptoms reported to technologists prompt a thorough follow-up. The team ensures no concern is overlooked by completing a full diagnostic workup.
The Imaging Toolkit
Different imaging modalities play vital, complementary roles in detecting and evaluating breast abnormalities. Mammography serves as a foundational tool for routine screening. Mammograms are uniquely required to spot microcalcifications, tiny calcium deposits that can indicate early pre-cancerous changes like ductal carcinoma, alongside tissue distortion and masses.
For patients with denser breast tissue where mammograms might obscure masses, ultrasound acts as an essential supplemental tool. It unmasks finer details, guides real-time biopsies, and evaluates the axilla for abnormal lymph nodes.
Meanwhile, magnetic resonance imaging is a specialized resource utilized primarily for high-risk screening, such as for patients with genetic mutations or prior to chest radiation, or for complex surgical mapping. High-risk patients often alternate mammograms and MRIs every six months to shorten surveillance intervals and catch issues early.
The Biopsy Process
When a suspicious lesion is identified, tissue sampling is needed to determine its nature. Dr. Sibtain performs ultrasound- and mammogram-guided biopsies one to three times a week.
The procedure is designed to be efficient and transparent, beginning with an ultrasound technologist mapping the lesion and walking the patient through what to expect.
After applying local anesthetic freezing, the radiologist inserts a specialized biopsy needle. The radiologist takes about four core samples to ensure the pathologist has ample tissue for special stains.
Pathology results typically return within a week. Benign results return patients to routine screening, while confirmed cancers trigger a direct, rapid referral to the Comprehensive Breast Care Program.
Alberta’s Evolving Screening Landscape
Alberta’s healthcare system offers robust access to imaging, and the screening framework continues to expand. Currently, women aged 45 to 74 can self-refer for routine mammograms without a physician’s requisition, while those aged 40 to 44 require a doctor’s order.
Looking ahead, on April 1st, 2027, Alberta will officially lower the self-referral age to 40, influencing younger women to screen proactively. Individuals with a first-degree family history should get screened annually, and those with strong hereditary risk factors can access specialized high-risk clinics.
Dr. Sibtain’s overarching message to patients remains clear: women are exceptional advocates for others but must remember to champion their own health. By utilizing regular screening intervals, patients and clinicians can catch potential concerns long before they are ever felt.