Mammography and Breast Cancer: Saving lives. Why Digital Mammography is better?
Female Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in India accounting for 13.5% of new cancer cases every year and 10% of cancer related deaths in India.
In India – one of 60 women get breast cancer in rural areas. One in 28 women get breast cancer in urban areas.
In USA – one of 8 women get breast cancer.
30% cases of breast cancer are detected in early stage in India.
70% cases of breast cancer in developed countries are detected in early stage.
We in India do not have a Breast cancer screening program.
Non-participation of women in any such program which may exist time to time because of unawareness, lack of access to healthcare facilities like Mammography and socio-cultural attitude.
Unlike cervical cancer, breast cancer screening is a bigger problem because when symptoms related to cervical cancer are there, they visit their local gynecologist and an opportunistic cancer screening takes place where the doctor orders for a PAP smear. Also, since early stages of breast cancer are usually a painless lump, women usually ignore and the major obstacle being the taboo of not discussing breast cancer topic openly and the doctrine of fate.
Until now organized breast cancer screening is limited to CBE (clinical breast examination) and SBE (self-breast examination) which has been found to be reasonable and feasible approach for a country like India with involvement of the community health worker / ASHA work-force.
This may be simple approach but there is a glitz here. Usually by palpation a breast tumor can only be detected when it is nearly more than 2 cms and the cancer stage goes up to IIA to IIB and treatment changes. But by mammography we plan to detect cancer at stage 1A or IB and that is our goal and only in that sense will beat our statistics of 70 percent breast cancers being detected late.
Mammography is a medical imaging technology using low energy x-rays to produce detailed images of breast tissue. Two types of Mammography:
Why Digital Mammography is better?
Earlier detection of breast cancers.
Less painful than traditional mammograms.
Fewer false positive recalls and biopsies.
2 mms – Smallest cancer found by Digital mammograms.
14 mms – Average size cancer found by regular mammograms.
22 mms – Average size lump you might feel by chance.
Statistics have shown that for every 1000 women who have undergone screening mammogram:
100 will return for additional mammogram or ultrasound due to something seen in the initial mammogram.
60 will have additional imaging and find nothing is wrong.
20 will fine that there is no cancer and will be asked to be on 6 months follow up.
20 will require needle biopsy.
5 will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
All women above 40 years should get annual mammograms.
Mammography can lower the risk of breast cancer by 40%
1 in 6 breast cancers occur in women between 40 – 50 years.
A study showed that 70% of women who died from breast cancer were not screened.
Remember – 75% of women with breast cancer have NO family history or other risk factors.
Early detection significantly improves breast cancer survival, reducing the risk of dying of breast cancer by 40%.
When breast cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate is almost 100%. Therefore, mammography can detect cancer early when it is most treatable.
Even for women 50 +, skipping a mammogram every year would miss up to 30% of cancer.
Remind your mother, sister or daughter to schedule an annual mammogram and also take the time for yourself. Save a life.
With our latest Digital Mammography, North East Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Jorabat, Guwahati providing High-resolution images for more accurate and reliable Detection of Breast Cancer at an early stage.
The best prevention is early detection.Let us be aware, take action and fight Breast Cancer.
Dr. Raj Changkakoty. Director and Chief Radiologist.North East Cancer Hospital and Research Institute (NECHRI) Jorabat, Guwahati – 781023 (Northeast India).
Mammography, Digital Mammography, Breast Cancer, Early Detection, Screening Mammogram, Diagnostic Mammogram, Breast Cancer Prevention, Women’s Health, Breast Cancer Awareness, Early Detection Technology, Cancer Survival Rate, Breast Cancer Screening Guwahati, Cancer Diagnosis, Cancer Hospital in Northeast India, Mammography for women 40+, Digital Mammography Benefits, Guwahati Breast Cancer Detection, Self-Breast Examination, North East Cancer Hospital.
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