Women residing in national capital New Delhi will now have their breast cancer fears addressed in a more efficient way, thanks to an agreement soon to be inked between Japanese imaging technology major Fujifilm and Batra Hospital and Medical Research.
Briefing media here about the 3-D digital mammography machine that has been installed at Batra Hospital, Yasunoku Nishoyama, Managing Director of Fujifilm India, said, "At Fujifilm, we are continuously innovating and creating new technologies, products and services, and this mammography machine, which is called Amulet Innovality, is one such product, which will help in the detection of cancer."
Dr. Pavan Gurha, Chief Anesthesiologist at the Batra Hospital and Medical Research, said that the hospital previously used to apply the analog technique for the treatment of breast and other forms of cancer, and added that the installation of Fujifilm's digital mammography machine was a definite and very welcome addition to the hospital, which has always been at the forefront of advancing medical techniques and assistance.
Dr. Gurha, however, maintained that it is still advisable for woman to self-examine themselves from time-to-time to detect possible growth in their chests, and also essential that they come in for mammography examination at least after every two years to be assured that they were not suffering from breast cancer.
He also said that Amulet Innovality was an examination and people should not confuse it with the idea that they were being treated for breast cancer.
He said that Batra Hospital follows the best practices in terms of ensuring that all medical examinations and subsequent treatment is cost-effective, adding that examination by Amulet Innovality would approximately cost about Rs.2500/-. He also said hormone treatment is advised and used only for those patients who are hormone sensitive.
A Fujifilm executive said that the machine costs Rs.2 crore.
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Dr. G.P. Vashist, Radiologist and Ultrasonologist at Batra Hospital and Medical Research, said that the new machine helps to advance the way doctors would treat breast cancer or any other form of cancer, and agreed with Dr. Gurha that early detection is even more imperative in the present day than ever before.
Both were of the view that the frequency of breast cancer was more in urban than in rural areas of India, owing to the differing lifestyle norms followed. In other words, their advice was for urbanites to change their habits while they still could.
Dr. Gurha, said, "If found and treated early, the 10-year survival rate for breast cancer is greater than 90 percent, making it imperative for healthcare providers to step up and provide women with the best screening devices."
Data from the National Cancer Registry programme shows that females in their 30s and 40s are the most prone to this disease, and that one out of every two women in India so diagnosed, face the prospect of death.
In India, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, especially in cities like Delhi.
Dr. Vashist said, "The majority of breast cancer is diagnosed at a relatively advanced stage owing to lack of awareness and the absence of an effective breast cancer screening program. Health education, early diagnosis and advanced facilities for screening and treatment are needed to improve breast cancer care in India."
According to a Fujifilm press release, Amulet Innovality uses advanced tomosynthesis technology to enable the conversion of digital breast images into a 3-D reconstruction of the breast, in contrast to the flat images produced by traditional 2-D digital mammography. Reconstructed tomographic images reveal the internal structure of the breast and simplify the detection of lesions that may have been overlooked during a routine mammography investigation. This would reduce the need for additional and uncalled for tests and biopsies.
A.L. Batra, President of Batra Hospital and Medical research Centre, and Mr. Nishiyama, Managing Director of Fujifilm India, have agreed sign a Memorandum of Understanding for making Batra Hospital, a centre of excellence for showcasing the latest Fujifilm technologies and training for doctors, healthcare workers and medical students.
The features if Amulet Innovality include the following:
. Tomosynthesis HCP/ISC and 7 kilowatt high frequency generator
. A direct conversion flat panel detector made of amorphous selenium with 50 micron pixel resolution, besides other advanced technological features
. Dual-mode Tomosynthesis - standard and high resolution - that enables examination of fine tissue layers and assessment of clusters of calcification
. Stereotactic biopsy unit kit with dedicated software to enable precise and efficient biopsy examination. (ANI)
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