Mater specialist breast cancer centre opened

A TRIPLE assessment clinic and digital mammography tests are part of the new specialist breast cancer centre that was officially opened at the Mater private hospital in Dublin yesterday.

"Triple assessment saved my life," 1960s singer and author Marsha Hunt told those gathered for the opening. Hunt (62), was treated for breast cancer at the hospital in 2005. She received part of her treatment at St Vincent's private hospital in Dublin.

Hunt was triple assessed, having all her tests in one day. Within days she was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer (stage three). She had a mastectomy, removing one of her breasts within 11 days.

Triple assessment involves clinical examination, imaging by ultrasound and/or mammography and pathology sampling.

The Health Service Executive has promised to introduce similar assessment in all cancer centres by the end of the year.

"Since early diagnosis has been identified as a factor in breast cancer rates, there is no doubt but that triple assessment is the most efficient way to achieve rapid diagnosis and treatment," Mater Private Healthcare chief executive Fergus Clancy said yesterday.

"With triple assessment the chance of missing anything is unlikely," Malcolm Kell, consultant breast cancer surgeon at the Mater, said.

Hunt said she may have received special treatment and triple assessment in 2005 because of her celebrity, but is delighted that this service is available to all women who attend the centre.

It makes a huge different to women to know, within days, rather than weeks or months, whether they have cancer, she said. "I would be dead if I did not have what they are offering here now."

The new digital mammographies, which produce a digital image of the X-ray rather than a film, are "super sensitive", Mr Kell said.

Breast cancer in women in their 40s is more easily detected with the technology, as these women tend to have denser breast tissue, consultant breast radiologist Prof Helen Fenlon said.

Women under the age of 50 account for about a fifth of breast cancer patients.

A multidisciplinary team meets at the centre to discuss patients every week, which means no patient is waiting more than a few days for a diagnosis, Mr Kell said.

Multidisciplinary meetings and triple assessment mean you do not get mistakes like those highlighted in the media, he added.