WOMEN across watford and west Hertfordshire are benefiting from a cutting edge breast scanning machine at St Albans City Hospital.

The recently acquired digital mammogram is one of the first to be installed in the East of England.

Lead radiographer Helen Shipley said: “I am absolutely delighted we have this state-of-the-art digital mammogram which is great news for our patients. This machine allows radiographers to detect smaller and subtler abnormalities in the breast tissue more easily and really reduces the time taken when having a mammogram. One huge benefit with this machine is the need to recall patients for additional views is also greatly reduced.

“As a radiographer I find this machine is easy to use. Working from a special workstation, you can really manipulate the image options and the image quality is very clear.”