NEW APPEAL 2010 - CASE FOR DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY

Digital Radiography provides many advantages over conventional radiography; in particular it dispenses with the need to process films and the need to store and retrieve film bags.  The images are available to multiple users simultaneously, including surgeons in theatre and (theoretically) can never be misplaced.  The images can also be manipulated and enhanced electronically.  Nationally the only imaging modality yet to convert to digital technology is mammography. 

 

Digital mammograms have been shown to be as good as, and in some instances better than conventional mammography in the detection of breast cancer.  In addition there is a significant reduction in radiation dose in comparison to conventional mmography.

 

As part of the Government's Cancer Reform Strategy, the National Breast Screening Programme is to be extended to include women from age 47 to 73.  The breasts of young women are often highly glandular and therefore produce images of poor diagnostic quality with conventional equipment.  The ability to manipulate contrast and density electronically represents a significant advantage of digital technology, producing images of considerably better diagnostic quality in this group.  Consequently it is an integral part of the Cancer Reform Strategy to introduce digital mammography prior to the programme extension.  Trusts are required to have digital mammography in place by the end of 2010.

 

Furthermore our current mammography machines are nearing the end of the working lives and it would be very wasteful to replace these machines with obsolete technology.

 

Unfortunately digital technology comes at a considerable financial cost; a digital mammography machine costs between £140,000 and £195,000 (please see attached price list).  The breast screening programme for East Cheshire and Stockport requires three such machines.  In addition there are considerable peripheral expenses including viewing monitors and electronic image storage.  This is an enormous challenge for a Trust the size of ours.  If an additional source of funding is identified it would undoubtedly considerably increase the likelihood of this development becoming a reality. 

 

We are justifiably proud of the high quality of breast services provided by Macclesfield DGH. We attract significant numbers of patients from adjoining regions.  The Trust has identified its breast service as an area of development and in particular it is committed to the building of dedicated Breast Unit.  It would be highly desirable to have the latest imaging technology to install in such a facility and would create a centre in which we all could be proud. 

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