KOCHI: In an attempt to create awareness on the significance of mammogram, Dr K Thomas Bose, has been hopping in and out of various hospitals and educational institutions in the city. However, the response is disheartening, said the US-based consulting diagnostic radiologist. Timely mammogram can prevent cancer deaths, provided they are done by trained mammography technicians in the presence of trained radiologists, he said .“I suggested that the CDs be played in the waiting rooms, leaflets be distributed to create awareness. Many listened with interest but none of them extended support,” he said. His plan to conduct mobile campaigns with a mammogram machine was thwarted due the tedious formalities to be followed. Compared to 30-50 women taking mammogram per day, Kochi has only three to four women taking the test. Also, it is only recently that mammogram machines have been installed at most of the hospitals.After self-examination, every woman aged 40 and above should undergo mammography screening annually and repeat it every two years. Only those who have symptoms need to undergo ultrasound and further tests or diagnostic mammogram to check whether the lump is dangerous or not, he said. “However, I noticed that people do not how to conduct mammogram without ultrasound. Even men should undergo mammography,” he said. Only well-trained technicians can detect cancer as small as 2 to 3 mm in size. As the breast is difficult to be X-rayed, it has to be compressed and only trained experts can detect the lumps and tissues. Knowledge in anatomy and physiology is a must. If the X-ray is not taken properly the cancer could be missed. There are instances when such lumps were missed and were detected only during the next mammogram. “Only if technicians know what is normal can they distinguish the abnormal. Cancer can be cured if detected in during early stages,” he added.Ethical and legal rules should never be broken for no one can play with lives. Even, the US is not free of malpractice, but monitoring and punishments are more stringent there. There is a continuing education programme where the doctors competency is checked periodically, he said. Radiologists are responsible for conducting awareness on mammogram and also send reminders to people to take the next test. Breast cancer is ruining many lives and only families awareness can help the situation. Dr Bose is conducting mammogram at Citi Scans, near Welcare Hospital in Vyttila. While mammogram cost `1,000 or more elsewhere, it is offered for `750 at Citi Scans.
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