Will Harnessing Tech Empower India's Fight Against Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a silent threat affecting women all around the world that requires our immediate attention and collective action. According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, with 2.3 million new cases reported in 2020 alone. This is echoed in India, where breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy among women, accounting for more than 25% of all cancer cases.

Rising breast cancer rates in India demand a comprehensive approach addressing lifestyle changes, late detection, genetics, awareness gaps, cultural stigmas, and healthcare accessibility.

Decoding Breast Cancer and its causes

Breast cancer typically originates in the milk ducts or lobules of the breast. Hormones like estrogen or progesterone, and a protein called HER-2/neu, can fuel certain types of breast cancers. The latter, if positive, may lead to more aggressive cancers with higher chances of recurrence, impacting overall survival.

Although breast cancer is rare in men, it nevertheless affects 1 man for every 100 women. For women, various factors contribute to the risk, such as age (above 50), reproductive history, family history, gene mutations (BRCA1 and BRCA2), lifestyle choices (alcohol consumption, obesity), and hormone replacement therapy.

The crucial role of early detection, technological advancements, and holistic patient care:

Early detection is vital in the fight against breast cancer, and mammography is emerging as a beacon of hope. Early discovery and a larger awareness of the disease are credited with higher survival rates and lower death. 

Enhancing diagnostic capabilities is of paramount importance in reducing physical and psychological discomfort. The advancement in technologies used to detect breast cancer has been considerably impactful in early detection. With technological innovations like radiolucent adhesive pads on the mammography paddles, which are curved to accommodate the lines of a woman’s body and reduced mammography compression, low dose screening (up to 30%) with high image quality, greater comfort with OpComp® technology that provides intelligent and personalized compression, 50° Wide-Angle Tomosynthesis, that provides a superior, highly accurate method for detecting cancers and facilitates a reliable diagnosis, are all contributing in enhancing the patient’s overall comfort and experience.

A holistic 360-degree patient care approach is required in addition to early detection. Understanding a patient's history, employing early detection methods, establishing accurate diagnoses, creating personalized treatment plans, and continuous monitoring and follow-up all contribute to enhancing the breast health journey. Emotional care and support are critical yet often overlooked aspects of the cancer treatment pathway.

Empowering women through access and awareness:

Raising breast health awareness is crucial in the fight against the growing concern of breast cancer. Initiatives like 'Project Heal,' launched by the Rotary Club of Mettupalayam, and Kovai Medical Center and Hospital (KMCH), presented a first-of-its-kind mobile Mammography unit equipped with a premium digital mammography system from Siemens Healthineers. This mobile unit helps with cancer screening of underprivileged women in Tamil Nadu. Such concepts enable Mammography on Wheels to diagnose breast cancer in India's remotest areas. 

Women across India need to be educated on the importance of self-examination and regular screenings. Providing every woman, with access to the information and resources needed for early detection by fostering partnerships with healthcare providers, decision-makers, and society at large is the need of the hour.

Call to action:

The urgency of the situation demands collaborative efforts against breast cancer. Through these efforts, we can reshape the narrative surrounding breast cancer in India, turning it into a story of resilience, early intervention, and better outcomes. Our commitment extends beyond ensuring technology advancements to efforts that promote early detection and awareness. We feel that taking a proactive approach to breast health is pivotal in reducing the impact of this disease on women’s lives.

In the face of breast cancer, let awareness be our shield and early detection our sword as we stand together against this silent threat.

Authored by Hariharan Subramanian, Managing Director, Siemens Healthcare Private Limited.