New mobile screening unit in Dartmouth supports breast cancer detection

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust celebrated the arrival of a new breast screening unit at a ribbon cutting event in Dartmouth.

Even though the new unit has been operational since the end of November, the ceremonial event took place at Dartmouth Health and Wellbeing Centre on the afternoon of Friday, 12 January.

L-R: Dr Katie Giles, breast screening programme director; Liz Davenport, Chief Executive; Captain Bray; Sir Richard Ibbotson, Chair; Kevin Foster MP

The ribbon cutting was undertaken by Captain Andrew Bray of Britannia Royal Naval College who was accompanied by his wife, Lauren. Speeches were given by Chairman of the Trust Sir Richard Ibbotson and Dr Katie Giles; the event was also supported by MP for Torbay Kevin Foster.

Dr Katie Giles, who is the screening programme director for Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Screening mammograms help us to detect breast cancer at a very early opportunity, most commonly before a breast lump is even felt.

"Early diagnosis means earlier treatment, better outcomes and improved survival rates for patients. In the last screening year alone, the Torbay and South Devon Screening programme have diagnosed 112 breast cancers.

“With our trust being in such a rural location, challenges relating to transport is always a factor in any area of health. For us to be able to deliver the NHS target within Torbay and South Devon, it is vital that we are breaking down the barriers that hinder uptake for this type of healthcare.

“The new mobile screening unit was funded by NHS England at a cost of £240,000 and allows us to offer mobile screening at nine locations across the Trust area, as well as within our main unit at Torbay Hospital.”

The inside of the unit

The mobile unit and team of mammographers travel the length and breadth of Torbay and South Devon NHS’ patch to offer breast screening to clients in their own communities. This avoids the need to travel long distances or undertake complex journeys on public transport when accessing breast screening.

Chairman of the Trust Sir Richard Ibbotson said: “This new unit will replace the previous one that was kindly purchased for us by the Torbay Hospital League of Friends in 2011. The new unit has already completed in the region of 900 screenings since it went operational at the end of November.

“We are thrilled to be able to continue offering mobile breast screening with the arrival of this new and up-to-date unit which allows us to maintain our commitment to our local community, which is to offer accessible breast screening and diagnose breast cancer as early as possible.”

“The ribbon cutting event was also supported by the Concert Band of Britannia Royal Naval College. The mixed quintet kindly volunteered to play and warmed the spirits of all who attended despite the very low temperatures; I thank them personally and on behalf of Torbay and South Devon NHS for the role they played at the ceremonial event.”

Before cutting the ribbon, Captain Bray said: “I am delighted to be opening this fantastic facility. Britannia Royal Naval College has always enjoyed a close relationship with the local community and the wider Torbay ad South Devon NHS Trust, who provide excellent care to all the military families who live and work in this area.

“The link between the military and our amazing health services is an important one and it is my pleasure to be celebrating that relationship here today.”

Breast Cancer 

The NHS offers screening to save lives from breast cancer. Screening does this by finding breast cancers at an early stage when they are too small to see or feel.

All women aged 50 up to their 71st birthday are invited for breast screening every three years. We send out first invitations to screening sometime between their 50th and 53rd birthdays.

Uptake of the offer of screening is heavily influenced by the location where it is delivered. This is especially important in this part of the country where many people live a long car or bus journey away from our base at Torbay Hospital. A number of people have difficulty accessing any transport at all.

By situating a mobile breast screening unit close to where people live this minimises the obstacle of travel, making breast screening appointments easier to attend and reaching the maximum number of eligible women.

The unit moves around our area of coverage, spending enough time in each area to screen their population of eligible women. This is called our ‘Round Plan’ and is based upon who is due their three-yearly screening at each GP Practice in the area. See next page for a map of the area we cover, marked with the locations the mobile unit visits.

Some women are not able to attend the mobile screening unit as they have specific needs due to mobility or learning disability and these women are catered for in special clinics here at Torbay Hospital.

The programme has a minimum uptake target of 70% for breast screening. NHS England have advised that they wish all breast screening programmes to reach 80% uptake by 2028.

Breast screening uses an X-ray test called a mammogram to check the breast for signs of cancer. It can spot cancers that are too small to see or feel.

Key messages

• As the likelihood of getting breast cancer increases with age, all women who are aged 50-70 and registered with a GP are automatically invited for breast cancer screening every three years. Sometimes younger women will be invited early.
• Nationally we detect cancer in approximately 1 in every 100 women screened.
• Overall, about one in eight women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.
• There is a good chance of recovery if breast cancer is detected in its early stages.
• Breast screening aims to find breast cancers early. It uses an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they are too small to see or feel.
• Don’t wait – attending breast screening when invited because it can save your life.