KMC Hospital breast clinic inaugurated

Located in a building with brightly painted pink walls and murals on the outside, the breast clinic at the Kilpauk Medical College(KMC) hospital was inaugurated on Thursday.

Speaking at the inauguration, J. Devi Meenal, head of department, Radiology, KMC said that the clinic was equipped with a 3D Digital Mammogram which would be done on women who come to the clinic for a diagnosis. “We can carry out Tomosynthesis for all patients, contrast mammograms and vacuum assisted biopsy. The equipment we have is such that very small lesions can also be detected and this will help with early treatment if the detection is done during the early stages ,” she said, speaking about a few of the features the clinic.

While screening mammogram, contrast mammogram and other screening procedures are free under the Chief Minister’s comprehensive health insurance scheme(CMCHIS), the clinic has fixed rates under non-CMCHIS packages as well.

V. Shanta, Chairman of the Cancer Institute, said that while the initiatives taken to spread awareness about breast cancer were commendable, she hoped for more awareness to be created with regard to cervical cancer among women in the rural areas. “With the equipment here in the breast clinic, the government can plan out a population screening for breast cancers after analysing the expenditure involved,” she added.

Students, doctors, nurses and the general public also pledged that they would create awareness about breast cancer as well as speak to people about the preventive measures as well as treatment they can receive. They further declared that they would also support and instil confidence to people who have cancer.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare C. Vijayabaskar said that the government aimed to ensure that world-class facilities were accessible to everyone in the state as well as create awareness about breast cancer.

“The clinic has been opened at a cost of Rs 4.50 crore and we have very advanced equipment here to help with screening and diagnosis. Women who walk in can get screened in fifteen minutes and we want more people to come and get themselves screened,” he added.