A Tomosynthesis (Tomo) digital X-ray mammogram technology kit has been funded by Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity, for the Breast Care Unit at Leighton Hospital.
This £58,000 machine creates clear, 3-dimensional images of the breast, which helps early cancers and difficult to detect lesions to be identified.
The introduction of this technology will not only help to ensure that breast cancers are detected sooner, but it will also reduce the amount of unnecessary interventional procedures that are conducted.
The 3D images produced by the Tomo machine make it much easier to decipher between potentially cancerous legions and normal/benign breast tissue, as well as providing improved visualisation for implants and dense tissue. As a result, the number of false positive readings, and unnecessary interventional procedures that patients experience, such as biopsies and further imaging, will be reduced.
The Tomo machine was funded by Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity’s Breast Care Fund, an ongoing fund that raises money for Leighton Hospital’s Breast Care Unit.
Dr Zatinahhayu Mohd-Isa, Consultant Radiologist for the Breast Care Unit at Leighton Hospital, said: “The Tomo machine can help patients to avoid several rounds of imagery that were previously required, it’s made a huge difference in improving patient care, and the overall patient journey for those referred to the Breast Care Unit.”
Denise Davies, Superintendent & Lead Radiographer for the Breast Care Unit at Leighton Hospital, added: “A huge thank you to everyone who supports the fantastic work of Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity, the funding for our Tomo machine has changed lives and we’re so grateful to be able to provide an improved quality of care thanks to this brilliant piece of kit.”
Emma Robertson, Charity Manager at Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity said: “When the team told us about the Tomo machine and the difference it could make to patients we knew we wanted to help.
Emma added: Being able to fund high-tech clinical kit is one of our main objectives but it is always expensive! It’s only because of our amazing supporters that we’re able to do this so we want to thank everyone who has donated to our Breast Care Fund over the last few years.”
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, you can donate to the Breast Care Fund here, by selecting general donation, and entering ‘Breast Care Fund’ as your chosen appeal.