Emerging technologies for early detection of breast cancer

Although there has been a global shift in prevention and early detection of breast cancer, the incidence rates are still rising in India. Despite the massive awareness campaigns to evolution in technology from clinical breast examination techniques and imaging tests to surgical biopsy, only 30 per cent of women in India present with early stage of cancer in contrast to 60-70 per cent of cases in the developed countries.

The result being, 87,090 patients lost their battle to breast cancer in India, last year.O n one hand, the world is developing smarter tools to detect the malignancies in the initial stages, India on the other, is still struggling to inculcate a culture of timely screening and detection for breast cancer.

The situation pushes us at crossroads— a surge in patient numbers despite advancements in curative and palliative care. Dr Ramesh Sarin, Sr. Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Apollo Hospital New Delhi talks about the emerging technologies for the early detection of breast cancer.

She shares that what we need to understand is, by promoting an environment that aggressively advocates for a screening of women for malignancies, we can significantly reduce the disease burden. With early screening and timely detection, even the management for breast cancer is deescalating.

For example, with the help of advanced tools, women with mammography detected cancer have no symptoms and are being diagnosed at stage zero. And, due to the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in mammograms, radiologists can now examine patients with a minimally invasive procedure. Clearly, the reliance on evolving medical technology is the only way to manage breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a highly complex and heterogeneous disease, it is usually difficult to detect in the initial stages by the women since it does not show any physical signs. Take, for instance, when women with dense breasts (presence of more fibrous and glandular tissue) undergo a mammogram, the glands appear as white and can obscure the appearance of tumours.

On the contrary, non-dense breast tissue shows up as dark, transparent areas where detection is easy. Younger the patients denser the breast tissues. In India breast cancer is more common in the younger generation than western counterparts and hence early diagnosis in young women is difficult and that is one of the reasons for late-stage presentation in the Indian context. 

With the pace of advancements in the field of oncology, it has now become easier to target various subsets of breast cancer with specific therapeutic procedures. Take, for instance, the Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy (VABB). Not only are they ensuring an accurate diagnosis, but also, leading the way for removing any possible cancerous tissues in early stages. Let’s understand how technology like VABB acts as a boon to patients at risk of progressing to later stages of breast cancer.

The Future of Breast Cancer Screening

Since no two patients represent identical lesions, the treatment options cannot work on a one-size-fits-all principle. With VABB, a patient can be examined multiple times with a single insertion. Not only does it assure 100 per cent correct diagnosis, but also, helps in complete removal of the lesion. As a modern-day panacea to patients of breast cancer, VABB can be performed under all major platforms — sonographic, mammographic, and magnetic resonance imaging guidance. By using a single insertion, VABB becomes an extremely safe and minimally invasive procedure, leaving little or no scar on the skin/breast.

In patients with multiple cysts and/or miniscule lumps, although the doctors have long trusted on palpation or ultrasound (US) to target smaller lesions, the results have not been satisfactory. Enter VABB, lumps of all sizes and shapes can be fully tracked and targeted. The present technology offers a less invasive procedure to remove miniscule lumps along with other masses for diagnosis.

Medical visionaries believe that while mammography is still widely regarded as the gold standard for detecting malignancies, an array of new or improved technologies is now on the horizon — using magnets, electricity, sound waves, and cellular biology as screening tools.

We cannot forget that the west has successfully implemented policies to annually screen women over the age of 50 and/or women with a family history of breast cancer to minimise mortalities. Hence, for India to reach the stage where malignancies are detected in the initial stages itself, aggressive promotion of screening and awareness programs are the need of the hour.

By ensuring that women have access to newer diagnostic treatments, we can better manage the rising numbers. Equally important is to educate people on the need to consult their doctor and make screening a part of their regular medical visit. Thus, timely detection and screening, and the latest diagnostic tools can help patients of breast cancer live longer, healthier and lead more productive lives.