Medanta Breast Services: Complete Breast Cancer Care

Screening Services at Medanta

Medanta breast cancer services begin with screening for women who have no symptoms. We provide regular mammogram screening for women aged 40 and above through our Executive Health check floor. For women under 40, we conduct specialised clinics where we educate them about the importance of self-examination and provide clinical breast examinations once a year starting from age 35.

This age-specific approach is critical in the Indian context, as the most common breast cancers in India occur between the ages of 40 and 50 years. Sadly, we see more cases of breast cancer in younger women in India compared to Western countries. This reality makes it essential for women under 40 to undergo some form of screening, which is why we recommend regular clinical breast examinations from age 35 onward.

As part of our commitment to early detection, Dr Kanchan Kaur Medanta and the team conduct numerous awareness programs and community outreach initiatives. We firmly believe that breast cancer must be detected early for optimal treatment outcomes, which drives our extensive community awareness efforts.

Diagnostic Services: The One-stop Clinic Approach

The second major component of our services focuses on diagnosis and treatment for patients who have already been diagnosed with breast issues. At Medanta, we’ve implemented the concept of a One-stop Clinic in our Breast Clinic. This means that any woman who visits our clinic with breast symptoms—whether pain, a lump, or discharge from the nipple—first receives a thorough clinical evaluation.

Following this initial assessment, we implement a triple assessment approach within our One-Stop Clinic. This means that on the same day, the patient undergoes breast imaging (mammogram or ultrasound) and, when necessary, a needle biopsy. This comprehensive same-day service gives patients confidence that their symptoms are being addressed promptly, without the anxiety of long waiting periods, to understand their condition.

Kanchan Kaur Medanta explains that our Radiology department has state-of-the-art technology, including a 3D Tomo mammogram machine. This advanced equipment allows us to take three-dimensional views of the breast, providing much better resolution than traditional 2D mammograms. Following current screening guidelines, we recommend Tomo mammography over 2D mammography for optimal results.

For patients requiring ultrasound, our hospital has highly specialised breast radiologists who provide expert services and perform image-guided biopsies when needed. Depending on the specific case, these biopsies may be guided through mammography (stereotactic biopsy) or ultrasound.

Additionally, Medanta has a state-of-the-art MRI machine and is proud to be among the first hospitals in India to offer MR-guided vacuum-assisted biopsies. This specialised procedure allows us to biopsy lesions that are visible only on MRI and cannot be detected through mammogram or ultrasound. Our specially trained radiologists perform these biopsies.

Once a biopsy is completed, a specialist pathologist, an integral part of our team, will examine it. After diagnosis, any further tests, such as PET CT, are available in-house. All test results are then discussed in our multidisciplinary tumour board meeting, where radiologists, clinicians, surgeons, and oncologists collectively determine the best treatment approach for each patient.

Surgical Treatment Options

Medanta breast surgeon services include state-of-the-art facilities for the full range of breast surgeries, covering both benign (non-cancerous) and cancerous conditions. We regularly perform breast-conserving surgeries and all types of oncoplastic breast surgeries to provide the best cosmetic outcomes for our patients.

Our breast surgical team works closely with the plastic surgery department. For patients who require total breast removal (mastectomy), we offer comprehensive reconstructive surgery options. These may be tissue-based, using tissue from other parts of the body, or implant-based. This team approach involves both the breast surgeon and plastic surgeon counselling the patient to determine the best reconstructive approach based on the patient’s wishes and clinical needs.

For the axilla (armpit) area, we’ve moved beyond the traditional approach of removing all lymph nodes. Instead, we perform sentinel lymph node biopsy using a dual-dye technique. This process involves injecting radioactive dye and blue dye, which help us accurately identify the sentinel node in the armpit. This node undergoes frozen section analysis during surgery, which helps determine whether complete lymph node removal is necessary.

In cases where we do need to remove all lymph nodes, we have been performing a procedure called lympho-venous anastomosis for the past 2-3 years. In this advanced technique, our plastic surgeon uses microscopic guidance to reconnect the tiny lymphatics from the arm to vessels within the armpit. This procedure has been shown to reduce the risk of lymphedema, a complication that can occur when all lymph nodes are removed from the armpit.

From breast-conserving approaches to lymph node preservation to breast reconstruction and lymphatic reconnection, all these services are available under the umbrella of the breast surgical team at Medanta.

Family History Clinic and Genetic Testing

We operate a specialised family history clinic for patients with a strong family history of breast cancer. Here, we provide guidance on appropriate screening frequency and protocols. Medanta now offers in-house BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene testing, with a turnaround time of approximately two weeks.

This testing helps patients determine whether they carry the mutated genes that increase their risk of developing breast cancer. For those who test positive, we provide guidance on risk-reducing surgeries for both the breast and ovaries. While our oncology team manages ovarian risk reduction, the breast surgical team routinely performs risk-reducing breast surgeries with primary reconstruction for women with strong family history risk who test positive for BRCA mutations.

Comprehensive Care Beyond Surgery

Medanta Cancer Institute has a robust medical oncology department that provides expert chemotherapy advice and a radiation department that offers specialised radiotherapy guidance. This means patients who come to Medanta don’t need to seek treatment elsewhere—we provide everything as part of our multidisciplinary team approach.

For patients who have completed cancer treatment, we offer comprehensive support services including:

• Dietetic and nutrition advice

• Cancer support groups

• Professional counsellors

These services form part of our Survivorship Program, designed to help patients lead normal lives after cancer treatment.

Conclusion

The Medanta Breast Service offers a complete spectrum of care—from screening and community awareness to comprehensive diagnostic procedures and advanced surgical treatments. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures each patient receives personalised care tailored to their specific needs. With state-of-the-art technology, specialised expertise, and a focus on treatment outcomes and quality of life, we strive to provide the highest standard of care for patients with breast-related concerns.

This blog has been converted from the Youtube video- Services that the Medanta Breast Service brings to patients | Dr. Kanchan Kaur | Medanta