Minister for Health Chris Fearne has this afternoon launched new equipment to help doctors and radiographers identify breast cancer through a clearer less invasive procedure. 

The vacuum assisted biopsy has been used since the beginning of this year. Before the investment into this machine, patients had to be sent abroad for further testing. That is why the government and Mater Dei management decided to invest into this biopsy machine to help clarify examination.

Radiologist Jessica Muscat explained that the equipment will help provide more accurate results as a normal biopsy can, in some occasions, fail to provide a full result. She said that the procedure works through suction and it normally takes less than 30 minutes.   

The machine costs €80,000, partially funded by the European Union.