Paralysed woman inspires mammogram robot

A woman who is paralysed from the chest down is helping scientists in York develop a robot so people with mobility issues can receive breast screening.

Jane Hudson, 53, from Harrogate, was unable to get an accurate mammogram because she could not get into the right position for the X-ray machine. She was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months later.

Scientists at the University of York have now started working on a prototype robotic arm system which will support the patient's upper body weight.

Ms Hudson said: "I've faced many difficulties and challenges in the wheelchair and you do sometimes feel like you don't get listened to, so for something positive to come out of this is great."

Ms Hudson was invited for a mammogram at York Hospital because it was accessible but she was unable to position herself correctly in the machine for an X-ray to take place.

She said: "I did feel really humiliated. It takes a lot to upset me and I did feel very upset when I left the hospital that day because I just felt this is a regular screening for any woman and yet again a disability is stopping that from happening."

A few months later Jane was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer which had spread to her lymph nodes.

"That's when I started thinking if this had been picked up earlier maybe it wouldn't have spread," she said.

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Source: BBC News, 11 July 2024