Health

Milestone Celebration: Devon NHS Trust Commemorates 20 Years of Life-Saving Breast Screening

2024-10-25

Author: Arjun

Celebrating 20 Years of Impact

The Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is proudly celebrating two decades of its groundbreaking breast screening program, an initiative that has dramatically shaped women's health in the region.

Statistics That Matter

Since its inception, the program has screened over 200,000 women, leading to the early detection of approximately 2,000 cases of breast cancer. This remarkable achievement has undoubtedly saved countless lives, highlighting the essential role of early diagnosis in combating the disease.

Mobile Unit for Accessibility

To ensure accessibility, the Trust employs a mobile unit staffed with skilled mammographers who travel throughout the Torbay and South Devon areas. This initiative allows women to receive crucial screenings within their local communities, breaking down barriers to healthcare access.

A Special Gathering

A special gathering will take place at Torbay Hospital to mark this momentous anniversary. Current and former staff from the breast screening unit, along with trust members and patients, will come together to celebrate the significant impact of the program.

Importance of Regular Screenings

A Trust spokesperson emphasized the importance of regular screenings, stating, "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."

2023 Screening Achievements

In 2023 alone, the team carried out screenings for 12,777 women using both mobile and static units. Impressively, 12,303 of these screenings returned normal results, while 474 women were referred for further investigation, underscoring the program's role in maintaining women's health.

Community Engagement and Awareness

In addition to its commitment to screening, the Trust also engages in extensive community outreach and education initiatives aimed at raising awareness about breast health and the importance of regular screenings. As society becomes more aware of breast cancer risks and contributes to decreasing the stigma surrounding this health issue, the Trust sees this anniversary as not just a celebration, but a call to action.

Get Screened!

Don't miss the chance to ensure your health! Book your screening today and join in the fight against breast cancer. The earlier we catch it, the better!