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Digital Mammography unit Inaugurated at KH, Manipal

Manipal, January 27: A state-of- the-art digital mammography unit under the Department of Radio-diagnosis and Imaging in Kasturba Hospital, Manipal was inaugurated by Mrs Vasanthi R Pai Chairperson Hostel Management Committee MAHE at the hospital here on Saturday. This is the first such unit in coastal Karnataka. Digital mammography has a distinct advantage over the conventional mammography and it can identify cases better. It is a new beginning in breast imaging.

Also present on the occasion were: Dr H S Ballal Pro Chancellor, Dr Vinod Bhat Vice Chancellor, Dr Poornima Baliga Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr Narayana Sabhahit Registrar, Manipal Acedemy of Higher Education, Manipal. and Dr Pragna Rao Dean KMC Manipal, Dr (Col) M Dayananda Medical Superintendent and COO  and Dr Rajgopal K V Head Dept of Radiodiagnosis Kasturba Hospital Manipal were present.

It was found that the performance of digital mammogram in detection of Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive cancer were substantially better than film screen mammography. This is because the brightness, darkness, or contrast can be adjusted and sections of an image can be magnified making it easier to see subtle differences between tissues.
Breast cancer is seen relatively early among the Indians as compared to their western counterparts. Digital mammography therefore becomes important and helps in reduction of patient mortality.  There is also a reduction in repeat examinations due to under or over exposures as the technologists can see the images immediately and make requisite corrections. The examination is faster therefore patient discomfort is also less.

Dr (Col) M Dayananda, Medical Superintendent and COO Kasturba Hospital Manipal said; " Breast cancer is a major challenge for healthcare, especially in urban population, having become the most common cancer in women in India superseding cancer of the cervix. There is a high mortality rate amongst our women due to late detection of this disease. The ultimate goal of mammography is early detection of breast cancer in the initial stage when it is still treatable so that patient survival is improved".