£250k is needed for a special scanner at cancer unit

Now the unit, known as Bust, needs your help again.

Staff have launched their Go for Bust Digital Imaging Appeal to raise £250,000 to buy a new digital imaging breast scanner.

Over the years, the unit has screened thousands of women over 40 to detect and diagnose breast cancer, and allay peoples’ fears.

The Bust unit also provides vital information and one-to-one advice from specialist nurses on how to check your breasts for changes.

The staff also offer support services to women diagnosed with cancer.

But with its current analogue mammogram machine ageing, the unit needs to raise money to buy new equipment which will improve its services for women across south Essex.

Linda Harrison, general manager at Bust, in Hillborough Road, Westcliff, for ten years, said: “All equipment is digital now. The analogue systems are being phased out.

“Our current machine is one of the best on the market, but in a couple of years breast screening is going to catch up with the rest of technology and go digital.

“We want to make sure when the digital machine goes on the market, we have funds in place to purchase it.

“Without this new machine we would not be able to continue to provide the kind of service for which we are renowned.

“It would cause severe operational difficulties if we can’t purchase this machine.”

The current scanner is ten years old and cost £60,000 at the time. It is expected to last only another couple of years.

The new state-of-the-art digital imaging machine will incorporate the latest software, which produces fast, accurate results. An archiving system is also included.

Money for training staff to use it and the installation costs will be covered by the charity’s reserve funds.

The Bust unit gets no Government funding for its work, or towards running costs.

Yet women can have breast cancer screening for a minimum donation. Staff will also see women regularly from the age of 40, ten years earlier than on the NHS. There is also no upper age limit for screening, unlike the NHS.

Mrs Harrison said: “There’s an argument for routine screening under 50s, as a third of cancers we diagnose are in women under 50.

“We screen women yearly between age 40 and 50, and from 50 every two years. If there is a relevant family history, women will be screened earlier, at about 35.

“On the NHS it is only from 50 to 70 every three years. We don’t receive any funding from the NHS. Our money comes from the generosity of the public and businesses, and our fundraising arm.

“We see 3,000 people a year for advice and education and carry out 5,000 screenings.

“We can’t put a figure on all the women we help and support who are confirmed as having benign tumours. The breast awareness and health education is provided by specialist breast care nurses and the feedback we get is how much women appreciate the one-to-one setting.

“There’s nothing like someone showing you how to examine yourself to reinforce the message.

“We don’t want women to be paranoid, but we encourage them to incorporate it into their daily washing routine so they can be confident to notice changes.

“For many women we can put their minds at rest, even helping parents concerned about their daughters.”

The charity is facing a further challenge of finding alternative premises, because the lease on its building in the grounds of Southend Hospital is running out.

The building was funded by public donations on land belonging to the hospital.

But there are only 15 years left on the lease with, no option to renew.

Mrs Harrison added: “We thought the charity would amalgamate with the hospital, but it has not happened. The services we provide stretch far beyond what the NHS screening service provides.

“We have a robust breast awareness and education arm. It’s needed and valuable to women.

“We can’t afford to buy the new scanner and to find new premises, so we really do need the community’s support to help us raise this money.”

SEE FRIDAY'S ECHO FOR SPECIAL REPORT