Community-based mammography supports breast screening service to boost uptake in West Devon and East Cornwall 

To facilitate the best possible outcome for symptomatic and non-symptomatic screening patients, the West Devon and East Cornwall Breast Screening Service is updating existing equipment with four MAMMOMAT Revelation mammography systems. The new equipment from Siemens Healthineers facilitates screening and assessment imaging in both community and traditional hospital settings - enabling imaging of one patient every four minutes.

Last year the UK’s national breast screening programme detected 8.4 cases of breast cancer in every 1000 women screened, however, uptake fell by 2%, with 69.1% of those invited attending screening appointments¹. To encourage continued attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic, the West Devon and East Cornwall Breast Screening Service has deployed two screening units in easily accessible community locations outside the traditional hospital setting.

One stationary MAMMOMAT Revelation system is placed at the Plymouth Guildhall and a mobile screening service is offering more accessible screening appointments for the Trust’s 86,000 invitees. The upgrade of existing equipment also includes two dedicated assessment units at the Primrose Breast Screening Unit at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.

The community-based MAMMOMAT Revelation screening systems offer swift, accurate and reliable imaging, with features like one-click automation for improved screening workflows – enabling imaging of one patient every four minutes. At Derriford Hospital, the two new assessment units are equipped with Insight Breast Density, 50˚ Wide Angle Tomosynthesis and contrast enhanced mammography for instant risk stratification, accurate imaging at greater depth for earlier detection².

“The West Devon and East Cornwall Breast Screening Service plans to improve workflows with upgraded mammography equipment throughout the service,” states Diana Nicholson, Lead Radiographer for Breast Imaging at the West Devon and East Cornwall Breast Screening Service. “The MAMMOMAT Revelation from Siemens Healthineers is quicker between exposures and works well in a screening environment and within the community. We’ve also had great feedback from ladies about the system’s MoodLight functionality, helping to put them at ease.”

“The MAMMOMAT Revelation embraces the uniqueness of each patient, and is designed to promote a more relaxed atmosphere with MoodLight and personalised soft compression to reduce discomfort,” states Joanne Barry, Business Manager for X-ray Products at Siemens Healthineers GB&I. “These features could be key to creating a more positive breast screening experience and improving uptake in coming years. We are also pleased to see the West Devon and East Cornwall Breast Screening Service benefiting from the system’s various technical features, helping to streamline workflows and improve patient pathways.”