My Breakthrough
08 JULY 2008
Digital mammography: Campaign with us!
Find out how you can campaign with Breakthrough Breast Cancer to ensure the swift roll-out of digital mammography across the NHS.
Breakthrough, together with the NHS Breast Screening Programme and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer, held a parliamentary reception in May to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Programme and called on Parliamentarians to take action to support the swift roll out of digital mammography in order to ensure the Programme can continue to deliver its life saving service as effectively as possible.
The Cancer Reform Strategy (CRS) was published in December 2007 and sets out a strategy for the development of cancer services in England up to 2012. It contained many measures that, if implemented, will mean better treatments and services for breast cancer patients and people affected by breast cancer, including the roll out of digital mammography technology across screening units.
Breakthrough has achieved a lot in partnership with CAN members since our Screening Saves Lives campaign was launched in Parliament in May 2006. It is now very important for the development of the Programme that digital mammography is rolled out, as recommended in the Cancer Reform Strategy.
What is digital mammography and why is it important?
Breast screening involves taking an X-ray of each breast – a mammogram. The screening image is typically captured on film via a process known as film-screen mammography. Since breast screening was introduced 20 years ago technology has progressed. Full field digital mammography is now available to capture breast screening images, converting the X-rays into computer files to produce images that can be seen on a computer screen, saved and shared via computer networks.
Digital mammography produces a better quality of image than film-screen mammography, improving radiologists’ ability to interpret the images. It is a more efficient method of capturing, storing and sharing images. For these reasons, digital mammography is expected to offer significant benefits to the quality, organisation and efficiency of breast screening.
Take Action
We are calling on all Breakthrough Campaigns & Advocacy Network (CAN) members in England to write to your MP using this Digital Mammography letter![[pdf]](/display_images/document_icons/pdf.gif)
to highlight the importance of the swift roll-out of digital mammography. You can find out who your MP is by visiting www.parliament.uk
Please feedback any responses you receive from your MP to Danisha Kazi, Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer, on 020 7025 2490 or by sending an e-mail to danishak@breakthrough.org.uk.
If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
Breast screening services in Scotland are run by the Scottish Breast Screening Programme, in Wales by Breast Test Wales and in Northern Ireland by Northern Ireland Screening Programmes. The introduction of digital mammography in these countries is at different stages to England.
To find out more about how you can get involved in our Screening Saves Lives campaign if you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, please contact Danisha Kazi, Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer, on 020 7025 2490 or by sending an e-mail to danishak@breakthrough.org.uk.
Breakthrough, together with the NHS Breast Screening Programme and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer, held a parliamentary reception in May to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Programme and called on Parliamentarians to take action to support the swift roll out of digital mammography in order to ensure the Programme can continue to deliver its life saving service as effectively as possible.
The Cancer Reform Strategy (CRS) was published in December 2007 and sets out a strategy for the development of cancer services in England up to 2012. It contained many measures that, if implemented, will mean better treatments and services for breast cancer patients and people affected by breast cancer, including the roll out of digital mammography technology across screening units.
Breakthrough has achieved a lot in partnership with CAN members since our Screening Saves Lives campaign was launched in Parliament in May 2006. It is now very important for the development of the Programme that digital mammography is rolled out, as recommended in the Cancer Reform Strategy.
What is digital mammography and why is it important?
Breast screening involves taking an X-ray of each breast – a mammogram. The screening image is typically captured on film via a process known as film-screen mammography. Since breast screening was introduced 20 years ago technology has progressed. Full field digital mammography is now available to capture breast screening images, converting the X-rays into computer files to produce images that can be seen on a computer screen, saved and shared via computer networks.
Digital mammography produces a better quality of image than film-screen mammography, improving radiologists’ ability to interpret the images. It is a more efficient method of capturing, storing and sharing images. For these reasons, digital mammography is expected to offer significant benefits to the quality, organisation and efficiency of breast screening.
Take Action
We are calling on all Breakthrough Campaigns & Advocacy Network (CAN) members in England to write to your MP using this Digital Mammography letter
to highlight the importance of the swift roll-out of digital mammography. You can find out who your MP is by visiting www.parliament.uk Please feedback any responses you receive from your MP to Danisha Kazi, Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer, on 020 7025 2490 or by sending an e-mail to danishak@breakthrough.org.uk.
If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
Breast screening services in Scotland are run by the Scottish Breast Screening Programme, in Wales by Breast Test Wales and in Northern Ireland by Northern Ireland Screening Programmes. The introduction of digital mammography in these countries is at different stages to England.
To find out more about how you can get involved in our Screening Saves Lives campaign if you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, please contact Danisha Kazi, Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer, on 020 7025 2490 or by sending an e-mail to danishak@breakthrough.org.uk.
