In a positive development that could have significant impact on breast cancer screening in the State, Brahmananda Narayana Multispeciality Hospital (BNMH) has procured iBreastExam, a hand-held point-of-care medical kit that has the capability to detect breast cancer in its early stages.
Normally breast cancer is detected in later stages when the patient's condition has significantly deteriorated. iBreastExam makes early detection a reality, which has become important in the wake of alarming breast cancer incidence throughout the country. India is witnessing an increasing incidence of breast cancer with around 1.5 lakh new cases every year. In urban India, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women with 1 in 8 women diagnosed with Breast Cancer in their life time.
Delay in early diagnosis is one of the two major reasons that lead to high mortality rate (50%) in this type of cancer. The other reason is lack of preventive breast health checks. Regular screenings, including, SBE, CBE, MMG – iBE and BREAST decode - radiation free, effective, accurate, safe & time tested, would help in the fight against cancer. With iBreastExam, BNMH would be the first hospital in the state to offer this easily affordable and accessible option for women to opt for screening even on the slightest suspicion they might have pertaining to their breasts,as the kit is capable of detecting breast tumors as small as 3 to 5 mm. The kit does so without emitting any harmful radiation.
Speaking on the features of the kit, Dr. Amit Kumar, Medical Oncologist, who joined BNMH, recently, with over 12 years of comprehensive experience in Oncology care with special interest in oral cancer, breast cancer and Uro cancer, said,“We are happy to introduce this state-of-the-art equipment in the state. Easy access is key to early detection and helps in the fight against the disease. We also plan to screen all women in colleges, clubs, societies and mahilasanasthans of Jamshedpur". The kit is not only radiation free but effective, accurate, and safe. It is also US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved.