A new magnetic device is improving breast cancer procedures in Musgrove Park Hospital. The new method, known as the Sentimag procedure, allows surgeons to identify tumours on the breast less invasively and with higher accuracy.

The procedure was introduced to the hospital by consultant breast surgeon Maria Bramley. Ms Bramley said: "If a breast cancer is identified in a patient through a mammogram or via our screening programme, it’s usually tiny so we need to look at the best way of identifying the tumour and removing the lump through an operation.

“Our patients are understandably anxious on the day of their surgery so using Sentimag is really great, as they won’t need to have all the intensive preparation work done on same day.

“Instead, the Magseed magnetic bead will be placed in the tumour and a Magtrace injection is given to identify the first draining armpit lymph gland from cancer. These can both be given during the pre-operative assessment, allowing more efficient scheduling of surgery.”

Maria had been keen to introduce the innovative new procedure since she arrived in Somerset from Manchester in 2021. But it wasn't until a donation from the League of Friends of Musgrove Park Hospital that it was made possible.

Peter Renshaw, Chairman of the League, said: “I want to thank everyone in the community who has made the funding possible by donating money, leaving a legacy or purchasing items from the shop.

“For over 60 years funding from the League of Friends has enabled the hospital to invest in state-of-the-art equipment for the benefit of patients and colleagues.”

Yeovil Hospital was the second in the country to roll out the Sentimag procedure, first using it in 2017. Salma Naseem, a consultant breast surgeon at Yeovil Hospital, said the Sentimag procedure has had a huge impact on the care and treatment of patients since it was introduced at Yeovil:

“Sentimag has improved both the experience of our patients and the efficiency of our theatres. The Magtrace is injected by our surgeons, usually at the follow-up visit when planning surgery, and at the same time our radiology colleagues do their best to accommodate the Magseed placement. By doing this we are avoiding a second journey to hospital for the patient.

“It also gives our patients more flexibility, as placing a Magseed means an operation can be more easily re-scheduled if the patient isn’t able to attend on the day due to unforeseen circumstances. And since the licence for Magseed placement in the body has increased from one month to an undefined period, it has increased our flexibility even further.

“I’m very proud that we’ve achieved this by effective communication and good team working at Yeovil Hospital, and it’s great news that more patients at Musgrove Park Hospital are now able to benefit from this technology too.”