Breast Cancer: Breakthroughs in Detection and Treatment
Research indicates that breast cancer accounts for 12.5 percent of all cancer cases in India. About one in every 28 women in India is at risk of developing breast cancer, which is rising at higher rates than ever. Over the years, several cancer specialty hospitals have developed in the country, with Mumbai being one of the top cities in India for treating cancers.
At present, you can get leading-edge and combination treatment options in immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical care in any cancer hospital in Mumbai. In addition, using an evidence-based approach in patient care made it the epicenter for excellent surgical and clinical outcomes equivalent to international standards.
Look at the following section to learn about breast cancer and breakthroughs and treatment that has created a paradigm shift in healthcare leading to more positive outputs.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer originates in the breast tissues. Even though the exact cause of breast cancer is unknown, certain risk factors can increase a woman’s chances of developing the disease. These include family history, age, obesity, and alcohol consumption.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer, choosing the best cancer treatment hospital in Mumbai that is well-equipped with high-end technology and experienced staff to provide high-quality patient care is important.
The treatment options will depend on the cancer stage and the individual patient. Usually, a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy is used.
What is the role of technology in cancer detection and care?
The number of cancer diagnoses decreased thanks to early breast cancer diagnosis through screening programs that include yearly mammograms. In India, with 160,000 new cases yearly, it is the second most common type of cancer overall.
Patients diagnosed at an early stage are more likely to benefit from their treatments. Some malignancies have an almost 100% survival rate if found very early. Tools like thermal imaging and mobile van-based screening programs have helped patients in remote areas access cancer care. Telemedicine has also been a great help for cancer patients during the ongoing pandemic.
Newer techniques like piezoelectric and thermal imaging technologies are also used to deploy in Tier 2 and 3 cities in India. Further, with the help of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence development of breast cancer can be forecasted five years in advance.
What are the different breast cancer treatments in India?
Mumbai has some of the best oncologists, clinicians, and nurses treating different forms of cancers at different stages. After the diagnosis of breast cancer, any reputed cancer hospital in Mumbai will provide the best treatment options based on the following factors:
- Stage and type of cancer
- Age, preferences, and overall health
- Sensitivity of cancer cells to hormones
The best treatment options are:
Lumpectomy: It involves the removal of a tumor and a small amount of tissue without removing the entire breast.
Mastectomy: It requires the removal of entire breasts.
Chemotherapy: It is combined with other treatments to kill cancer cells.
Radiation therapy: It uses radiation doses to kill cancer cells.
Hormone therapy stops and slows cancer cells’ growth by lowering the level of hormones or blocking them from getting to cancer cells.
Immunotherapy: It targets cancer cells’ receptors or alters the immune system to destroy them.
Targeted therapy: It involves drug usage to eliminate abnormalities in cancer cells.
Breast cancer treatments have developed in leaps and bounds to provide effective results. The hospitals have multiple disciplinary teams of medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists and surgeons to provide the best levels of care. The care team provides a customized plan to each patient based on clinical condition, stage, and type of cancer.