360 degree approach necessary to beat breast cancer

UAE based patients can visit Apollo Hospitals to avail South Asia's first-of-its-kind Digital Mammography and 3D system

Dubai, UAE, November 02nd, 2014: Apollo Hospitals, Asia’s foremost healthcare provider, is marking a new beginning in diagnosis of Breast Cancer by launching South Asia's first-of-its-kind, full-field digital mammography with Tomosynthesis (3D) system at Apollo Speciality Cancer Hospitals, Chennai, India. UAE based patients can avail of this latest technology for breast cancer and adopt a 360 degree approach to prevent breast cancer. 

“This is the latest technology for breast cancer. This device Breast Tomosynthesis is a 3-dimensional imaging technology that involves acquiring images of a stationary compressed breast at multiple angles during a short scan. The individual images are then reconstructed into a series of thin high resolution slices that can be displayed individually or in a dynamic cine mode. Digital breast Tomosynthesis offers a number of exciting opportunities including the possibility of reduced breast compression, improved diagnostic and screening accuracy, 3-D lesion localization, and contrast-enhanced 3-D imaging,” said Dr. K. Hariprasad, CEO, Apollo Hospitals.

The Hospital affirms the fact that the early detection of breast cancer is the best strategy for any country to follow when it comes to tackling this illness.  As per a WHO report, 61% of breast cancer patients are diagnosed at stage III or stage IV of the disease, therefore hindering the best treatment options.

“Apollo Hospitals is one of the few hospitals in India that is well equipped to provide 360 degree cancer care. The comprehensive treatment planning procedure includes an experienced Tumour Board which is a panel of competent medical, surgical and radiation oncologists. Referred cases are jointly decided by the board and the diagnostic consultants on the best line of treatment for each patient. Medical counsellors, speech therapists, dieticians and other professionals related to the case chip in and aid the panel. Apollo Hospitals also has speciality clinics like The Breast Clinic, Brain Tumour Clinic and Thyroid Clinic where a holistic approach to eradicate cancer is adopted,” added Dr.Hariprasad, 

Complicated and delicate tumour excisions are routinely performed at Apollo Hospitals. A team of highly trained Surgical Oncologists well supported by skilled operating theatre and recovery staff ensure that the success rate of oncology surgeries at Apollo Hospitals is comparable with that of the best centres in the world. 

“As women grow older the chances of getting breast cancer is very high. After the age of 20 years, a woman must regularly do breast self-examination and must be assessed by a clinician atleast once every 2 years or earlier if any abnormality is detected. So, take the first few right steps and bring your wife, mother, sister or daughter to breast screening clinics and ensure nothing comes in the way of her happiness and well- being,” concluded Dr. K. Hariprasad.

Apollo Hospitals has successfully treated over 60000 foreign patients from across the world in last five years and the numbers are looking up every year. NHS, UK alone has over a million patients waiting to be treated. Thousands of uninsured Americans now have the option to come to Apollo Hospitals for tertiary care needs. Similarly Africa, Middle East, CIS Countries in Central Asia and South East Asia present huge opportunities as the waiting time and expense are very high in other countries when compared to India.

Recently, Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, had teamed up with Apollo Hospitals, to connect international patients with quality healthcare services in India. As part of the joint venture, the patients and their attendants from 19 countries across Middle East and Africa can visit the hospital’s flagship locations in Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmadabad and Bangalore to avail specially formulated fares for round-trip flights on Emirates.