New breast screening technology will transform care and speed up diagnosis for patients in Wigan
New technology is being used in a breast screening service in Wigan to help cut waiting times for patients.
A new cutting-edge breast screening service designed to give patients faster answers and improve early cancer detection has launched in Wigan.
South Lancashire breast screening unit, based at Thomas Linacre Centre, is one of the first NHS departments in Greater Manchester to introduce contrast enhanced mammography (CEM) technology.
Clinical lead Grace Easton said: “Contrast enhanced mammography is a major advancement on the standard 2D mammography for cancer detection, particularly in patients who have dense breast tissue.
“The introduction of CEM means patients presenting with symptoms of breast cancer can have a contrast scan on the very same day as their imaging investigations. This improves the overall patient experience, removing weeks of agonising uncertainty and giving people a definitive diagnosis far quicker.”
Previously, contrast breast imaging required an MRI scan, which sometimes involved lengthy waits during appointments.
Now, a CEM can be carried out in less than 10 minutes, meaning patients no longer face potential delays and the emotional stress that accompanies them.
Dr Amruta Talwalkar, director of breast screening, said: “Coming in for a breast screening assessment is understandably a stressful experience. Having this new equipment enables us to share with our patients whether there is cause for concern almost immediately.
“Giving patients fast, accurate answers when they need them most is at the heart of what we do.”
Work on the project was made possible by a donation of almost £60,000 from the Boot Out Breast Cancer charity, which went towards the contrast mammography software and a contrast injector.
The charity’s founder Debbie Dowie said: “It means a great deal to us at Boot Out Breast Cancer to be able to support the introduction of contrast mammography with the department. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are absolutely vital in improving outcomes for patients and investing in advanced technology like this can make a real, life-saving difference.
“As a charity, our mission is to fund equipment and initiatives that directly enhance patient care, and we are incredibly proud to have contributed towards this important development. Knowing that this technology will support clinicians and benefit so many individuals and families is exactly why we do what we do.”
The initiative forms part of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s wider strategy to embed innovative technology across its services to transform patient care.