Breast cancer treatment need not mean removal of breasts

Times of India - NAGPUR: Breast cancer, detected at any stage, triggers a fear in women of losing their femininity due to removal of breasts. However, if the disease is caught early, such fears need not bother women, as they have the option of undergoing breast conservation surgery.
 On the occasion of the birth anniversary of William Halstead, the father of modern American surgery, who developed radical mastectomy as a method of treating breast cancer, city chapters of Association of Surgeons of India (ASI) and Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) organized a meet to discuss latest trends in breast cancer treatment. Senior surgical oncologist from Pune Dr CB Koppikar and Chennai-based radiologist Dr Sandeep Jaipurkar were among the faculty.   President of ASI, Nagpur, Dr AM Quraishi said, 'Radical mastectomy (RM) entails removal of whole breast with underlying chest muscles and lymph nodes, which improves chances of survival of a breast cancer victim. It has been modified, so that the muscles need not be removed.
Most oncosurgeons in the city are using this technique now. It is time we move a step forward towards more advanced techniques.'   'With early detection, there is 100% chance of complete treatment of breast cancer. It requires one to undergo a small surgery, followed by radiotherapy. Removal of breasts can be avoided totally without the need of chemotherapy,' said Dr Mandar Nadkarni, a Mumbai-based oncologist.
 Radiation oncologist Dr Sonali Pingle from Pune insisted that the treatment is incomplete without radiation. 'Earlier, there was concern about the damage to lungs or other cells by radiation, but with the advanced 3-D CRT, this is no longer a danger as it can help us give uniform and focused dosage of radiation,' she said.   'Though we have very little data from India, there is a gradual trend of early detection of breast cancer in the country. So like in the West, there is a demand for conserving the breast while treating cancer. The facilities available in some metros are at par with those in the developed world,' said Dr DG Vijay, a surgical oncologist from Ahmedabad.