Plans To Modernise Breast Screening Services, Wales

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 22 Jan 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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£15M Assembly Government-funded scheme to speed up diagnosis and treatment

A plan to modernise the equipment used to screen women for breast cancer has been approved by Health Minister Edwina Hart today.

The majority of tests are delivered through 10 mobile screening units and at the four breast assessment centres in Swansea, Cardiff, Wrexham and Llandudno. Where signs of an abnormality are found, women are referred to the centres for further assessment. More than 100,000 women are screened for breast cancer every year in Wales.

Now, Velindre NHS Trust, which is the specialist cancer Trust in Wales, aims to replace the current analogue machines and associate equipment with the latest digital screening, imaging and storage technology. This will enable faster and better processing and analysis of images and easier comparison with previous tests.

The plan will be backed by £15million from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Subject to the completion of the detailed businesses cases for the investment, it is expected that the new equipment will be phased in over three years, starting in 2010.

Edwina Hart said: "Investment in prevention and early detection is crucial to improving the outcome for patients. The Breast Test Wales screening programme is achieving a 25-38 per cent reduction in breast cancer mortality in women who attend for screening.

"Swift diagnosis and treatment reduces the anxiety experienced by patients and their carers and will reduce the devastating impact that cancer can have on individuals and their families and friends.

"Last month, I was pleased to announce more than £6million Assembly Government funding to enhance breast care services at Llanelli's Prince Philip Hospital ��" which already has an excellent reputation for its services.

"Wales' population is getting older, with people living longer, healthier lives, which is something to be celebrated. However, this will place increased demand on services. It is anticipated that this new equipment will enable the services to meet that demand."

Notes

The Health Minister, Edwina Hart, has approved the Strategic Outline Case (SOC) from Velindre NHS Trust to modernise mammographic services for breast screening.

The SOC is the first of a three-stage business case process for significant capital investment in the NHS in Wales.

Breast Test Wales was established in 1988 to deliver the breast cancer screening programme. For further information on the screening programme can be found on its website at: http://www.screeningservices.org.uk/btw/index_eng.asp

Welsh Assembly Government

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