RAD Magazine: Putting Patients First: How Skin Markers Improve Breast Imaging Outcomes

In the demanding environment of breast imaging, accuracy and efficiency must work together. National Health Service (NHS) and private breast imaging centres throughout the UK manage high patient volumes daily, and increasing demand makes clear communication between the mammographer and reporting radiologist essential.

A palpable lump, post-surgical scar, or benign skin lesion may mimic, obscure, or draw attention away from a suspicious finding. Standardized marker shapes, such as a line for a scar, triangle for a lump, circle for a mole, and square for an area of concern or pain, allow radiologists to quickly correlate imaging findings with surface anatomy.

The Beekley Skin Marking System® for Mammography provides a simple, but highly effective, visual communication tool that helps bridge that gap. By using standardized distinctly shaped markers to identify palpable findings, surgical scars, raised moles, and areas of pain, mammographers can convey valuable information directly on the mammographic image.

Beyond facilitating communication, these skin markers provide visual documentation of breast anatomy that can be referenced year after year. This continuity can be valuable when comparing prior studies or when images are transferred between facilities, maintaining consistency in patient assessment over time.

By identifying known anatomical landmarks and clinical findings, skin markers may help reduce unnecessary additional views, technical recalls, and patient anxiety, while supporting efforts to minimize avoidable radiation exposure. For UK breast imaging providers, the Beekley Skin Marking System offers a practical, reliable solution that enhances workflow, strengthens communication, and supports high-quality patient care.

The Beekley Skin marking system is available through Oncology Imaging Systems.