Tryggve Eriksson is chief physician and radiologist at Östersund Hospital. He is a driving force in Sweden when it comes to the VAE method, vakum-assisted excision. VAE involves inserting a needle into the chest that cuts off and then sucks out the cell change.
A big win
Tryggve Eriksson describes it as a big win for women and for the healthcare economy.
"The alternative is an operation with a surgeon and anaesthetist, waking up and possibly inpatient care," he says.
"With VAE, we remove the change in the department in one to two hours.
Established method abroad
Is it as safe as in an operation where you usually take a bite with a margin?
" Yes, I see all the time on the ultrasound what is removed and I also put a marker, a metal ring, on the place where the change has been. In this way, it is easy to find the right one if there is a new change.
The method is well established in countries such as Spain, Portugal and England. The method is common even in the United States and Canada.
Five hospitals in Sweden
Is Sweden lagging behind when it comes to VAE?
" Yes, absolutely. Here in Sweden, only five hospitals use the method. These are Östersund, Västmanland Hospital in Västerås, Karolinska in Solna, Capio St Göran in Stockholm and Sahlgrenska Hospital in Gothenburg.
Why does it look like that?
"There is a lack of radiologists, but I think we should still try to invest in this for the sake of women and the economy," says Tryggve Eriksson.
Kristianstad Hospital has hired Tryggve Eriksson this spring to get started with the method.
Tryggve Eriksson emphasizes that if the analysis shows that it is cancer, it will still be a regular operation.