3D machine aids breast cancer fight
A MACHINE that can digitally render breasts in 3D is the centrepiece of Cairns’ new BreastScreen clinic.
The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service yesterday officially opened the new purpose-built premises for BreastScreen at 116 McLeod St, Cairns CBD.
The new larger facility includes three mammography rooms, two ultrasound rooms, two clinical examination rooms, a counselling room, dedicated screening and assessment waiting areas and associated staff support facilities.
It also includes a digital breast tomosynthesis, which creates a three-dimensional picture of a patient’s breast using X-rays, giving clinicians another tool in the early diagnosis of breast cancer.
BreastScreen Cairns chief radiographer Deb Halliwell said staff were delighted with the new premises, where their first patient was screened last month.
“It’s much larger in here, which is why we’ve been able to fit another mammography,” she said.
Last financial year, 15,447 Far North Queenslanders attended BreastScreen appointments at either the Cairns clinic or its mobile service.
As a result of this screening, 112 of these people were diagnosed with breast cancer.
Ms Halliwell said it was crucial that women were regularly screened for breast cancer.
“We can pick up any issues, a lot easier than they can actually feel themselves,” she said.
“We can pick up issues just as small as a grain of rice, which may still be in situ, before it becomes invasive.”
Cairns Women’s Imaging radiologist Dr Kevin Daynes said the opening of the new public clinic showed cancer screening and diagnostic services in the Far North were first class.
“For women who are asymptomatic of cancer, they need screening,” he said.
“For women who have a lump, or a breast abnormality, they need to go to one of the diagnostic centres.
“Breast cancer care Cairns is particularly good.
“We’ve got excellent surgeons in both the public and private sector, and excellent support oncology services.
“Early detection saves lives.” in