Nuffield Health is rolling out advanced mammography technology across its hospitals in response to new research highlighting persistent barriers preventing women from attending breast cancer screenings.
The charitable hospital group has begun installing new diagnostic equipment at its hospitals in Cheltenham and Chester, with further sites including Wessex, Cardiff Vale and Oxford due to follow over the summer. The investment is part of a £200m partnership with GE HealthCare to upgrade diagnostic imaging across Nuffield’s UK hospital network.
The announcement follows survey data commissioned by Nuffield Health, which found that more than a third (36%) of women would be reluctant to seek medical support even if they discovered a breast lump or abnormality. One in ten women surveyed said they had actually found a lump or abnormality but did not seek medical help. Anxiety was the most common reason cited for avoiding screening, mentioned by 26% of respondents, while almost 15% expressed concerns about discomfort.
Among women who have previously undergone a mammogram, 40% reported experiencing pain.
Claudia Harding-Mackean, consultant breast surgeon at Nuffield Health Chester Hospital, said the findings were ‘concerning but, sadly, not surprising’.
‘For many women, breast checks can be an “out of sight, out of mind” issue,’ she said. ‘Screening and early diagnosis can make a life-changing difference. It’s vital to raise awareness of how much breast cancer diagnostics and treatment have improved. The earlier we can detect any changes, the better the chances of a positive outcome.’
The new mammography equipment features 3D imaging technology offering a clearer view of breast tissue at the same low radiation dose as traditional 2D scans. Machines are designed to move and adapt around the patient’s body to reduce discomfort during screening, while some units are equipped with guided biopsy functions, allowing tissue samples to be taken during the same appointment. Nuffield Health said this could help reduce waiting times and avoid additional hospital visits.
Kate Liddington, hospital director at Nuffield Health Cheltenham Hospital, said the investment aimed to make screening ‘more comfortable and less intimidating’ to address barriers deterring women from attending appointments.
‘These machines adjust to the patient, require less compression on the breast, and take images faster,’ she said. ‘Image quality is improving all the time, ensuring our consultants can provide accurate diagnosis with greater confidence, and women receive the answers they need sooner.’
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK, with one woman diagnosed every ten minutes. While survival rates have improved significantly, screening coverage has declined since 2019, with 64.6% of eligible women attending NHS screening in 2022-23.
Nuffield Health’s investment forms part of its wider collaboration with GE HealthCare, which includes introducing AI-enabled diagnostic imaging across its hospitals. The partnership also involves measures to reduce the environmental impact of equipment, such as limiting the use of rare materials and improving recyclability and energy efficiency.
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