Warwickshire, Solihull and Coventry Breast Screening Service (WSCBSS), which installed its first Sectra MicroDose system in 2005, has now invested in another two systems.

With the new units, WSCBSS will become one of the first publicly-operated breast screening services in the UK to provide a fully direct digital mammography screening service.

WSCBSS is part of the national breast screening program in the UK.

The service operates three mobile screening trailers all equipped with Sectra MicroDose as well as assessment and symptomatic services. In total, the service performs approximately 40,000 examinations per year.

WSCBSS operates Sectra's total solution for digital mammography, comprising Sectra MicroDose Mammography and Sectra Breast Imaging PACS.

The solution enables an efficient screening workflow at the lowest possible dose level.

"As well as reducing the radiation dose to a minimum and providing excellent image quality, our initial Sectra MicroDose Mammography system also allowed us to reduce the appointment times required for screening," said Margot Wheaton, programme manager. "This has made our screening operation far more efficient. With Sectra MicroDose, we can screen clients at five-minute intervals throughout the day, which helps us keep to the screening schedule," Wheaton said. "With the two new systems, we now have the capacity to manage the 20 percent increase in workload during the initial phase of the extension to the screening age range."

Neil Emery, commercial manager of Sectra in the UK and Ireland said, "WSCBSS has an excellent reputation within the breast screening community and their decision to further invest in our MicroDose system confirms that we have succeeded in meeting the high requirements of screening services." He added, "The fact that our equipment can also be placed on existing trailers rather than requiring customers to buy specially-built new trailers also makes the complete solution very cost effective."