Mercy Radiology is partnering with Southern Cross to pilot a new breast screening pathway with the aim of reducing patients' time to diagnosis and improving the chance of earlier cancer detection. The pilot is open to Southern Cross members only. The pilot will run for three months from 01/05/2022 – 31/07/2022.

Our ambition is that by using personalised imaging based on risk likelihood, we will reduce a patient's time to diagnosis and improve the chances of finding cancers early (before they get a chance to grow). 

Patients opting to take part in the pilot will be assessed using a combination of their current breast density score and completion of a risk assessment questionnaire. We will use the Tyrer-Cuzick model (TC8), or IBIS Tool questionnaire. This is a clinically validated model used to calculate a person’s likelihood of carrying the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. It estimates the likelihood of a woman developing breast cancer in 10 years and over the course of her lifetime.

The outcome of this questionnaire in combination with the patient’s current breast density score will be used to calculate a risk output. This output will be exclusively used to guide our Radiologists in determining the appropriate imaging recommended as part of this pilot. This could be one or more of the following Radiology exams

• Mammogram and Tomo (all patients)
• Breast Ultrasound
• Breast Biopsy US/Mamm/MRI
• Abbreviated MRI

The patient will be guided through this process by our team of breast co-ordinators, nurses, and Radiologists.

A summary of the patient’s risk assessment will be forwarded to them, and a copy can also be forwarded to the patient’s specialist or referrer as required. This will be in addition to the patient's imaging report.

We believe that this pilot study will aid us in improving patient care and allow for earlier cancer detection, improving outcomes for patients.

Please call our contact centre or your local branch to schedule your mammogram and opt to take part in this pilot now.