"Transformative' scanner to aid faster, earlier diagnoses

A SCANNER that will speed up treatment for thousands of patients was unveiled yesterday by Science Secretary Peter Kyle.

- Hanna Geissler

The total-body PET scanner is 40 times more sensitive than existing machines and cuts imaging time from 21 minutes to 10.

It is hoped its far more detailed

images will allow cancer recurrence to be spotted earlier and give medics greater insights into range of conditions affecting the brain and heart.

Hailing Britain's potential as a science superpower, Mr Kyle told the Daily Express: "Cutting-edge scanners like these and the intelligence they provide can help UK patients live longer, healthier lives while easing the pressure on our NHS.

"These kinds of medical advancements will quite literally save lives through earlier detection, faster diagnoses and more effective treatment in complex illnesses like cancer, dementia and heart disease.

"Ensuring our world-leading researchers have access to the most advanced technology is key to them unlocking medical breakthroughs, in turn improving the lives of people across the UK and beyond, while also growing our economy." The £10million total-body posi-

tron emission tomography scanner, now installed at St Thomas's Hospital in London, is one of three becoming operational in the UK.