Plans to modernise breast cancer services

A plan to modernise the equipment used to screen women for breast cancer has been approved by Welsh Labour’s Health Minister Edwina Hart today.

The majority of tests are delivered through 10 mobile screening units and at the four breast assessment centres in Swansea, Cardiff, Wrexham and Llandudno. Where signs of an abnormality are found, women are referred to the centres for further assessment. More than 100,000 women are screened for breast cancer every year in Wales and the Breast Test Wales screening programme is achieving a 25-38 per cent reduction in breast cancer mortality in women who attend for screening.

Now, Velindre NHS Trust, which is the specialist cancer Trust in Wales, aims to replace the current analogue machines and associate equipment with the latest digital screening, imaging and storage technology. This will enable faster and better processing and analysis of images and easier comparison with previous tests.

The plan will be backed by £15million from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Subject to the completion of the detailed businesses cases for the investment, it is expected that the new equipment will be phased in over three years, starting in 2010

For further information on the screening programme can be found by clicking here.

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Wales-wide programme to tackle child obesity launched

Welsh Labour’s drive to tackle child obesity has taken another step forward with the news that a new £14.m Welsh Assembly Government-funded programme began its roll out across Wales this week.

The scheme - ‘Mind, Exercise, Nutrition... Do It!’ or MEND for short - is designed to help overweight and obese children manage their weight and become fitter, healthier and happier. It will target around 2,000 children aged between 7-13 years old and their families over the next three years. It’s the first time that this type of scheme for children will have run on a national level in any country.

By international standards Welsh children are comparatively more overweight or obese than in other nations. Around one in five 13 year olds are overweight or obese and many obese children grow up to be obese adults.

Under the scheme, families will take part in a free 10 week course with others in a similar position, combining practical learning about healthy eating – including shopping on a budget – and stimulating active enjoyment of physical activity. Rather than focusing on weight loss, the programme uses an interactive learning approach to teach parents, carers and children weight management skills. Families will also be offered follow-up contact including reunion events and telephone support.

The programme –was devised by experts in child health at the world-renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and the University College London Institute of Child Health