R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, JULY 13
When breast cancer is detected before it reaches the lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate can soar to an extraordinary 96 per cent. Yet, thousands of women continue to lose the battle each year simply because the disease is diagnosed too late. In a transformative step that could redefine breast cancer detection in South India, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Alwarpet, has introduced one of the country’s most advanced AI-powered breast imaging platforms—combining cutting-edge 3D mammography with comprehensive breast ultrasound services to detect cancer earlier, more accurately and with greater comfort than ever before.
- Apollo Spectra Chennai introduces next-generation Hologic Selenia 3D AI Genius Mammography System with comprehensive breast ultrasound services for earlier and more accurate cancer detection
- Advanced imaging technology detects up to 41% more invasive breast cancers while significantly reducing false-positive recalls and unnecessary follow-up tests
- Integrated breast care platform promises faster, low-dose, patient-friendly screening, particularly benefiting women with dense breast tissue
- Experts urge women above 40 and those with a family history to embrace routine screening, stressing that early diagnosis can dramatically improve survival rates
- Pioneering initiative strengthens Tamil Nadu’s fight against one of India’s deadliest women’s cancers through technology, awareness and timely intervention
The hospital has strengthened its women’s healthcare programme with the launch of the Hologic Selenia 3D AI Genius Mammography System alongside Comprehensive Breast Ultrasound Services, creating an integrated breast imaging ecosystem aimed at improving early diagnosis, personalised treatment planning and survival outcomes.
The initiative assumes greater significance as breast cancer remains the most common cancer among Indian women, while Tamil Nadu ranks among the three states with the highest breast cancer burden in the country, recording more than 700 Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) per one lakh women, second only to Telangana. Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai continue to report among the state’s highest incidence rates, underscoring the urgent need for widespread awareness and routine screening.
Unlike conventional two-dimensional mammography, the Hologic Selenia 3D AI Genius Mammography System captures multiple low-dose images from different angles to generate a highly detailed three-dimensional view of the breast. This significantly improves the visibility of suspicious abnormalities, particularly in women with dense breast tissue, where conventional imaging may miss early-stage cancers.
The breakthrough technology offers several clinical advantages:
- Detects up to 41 per cent more invasive breast cancers compared with conventional 2D mammography.
- Reduces false-positive recalls by 15–40 per cent, minimising unnecessary follow-up investigations and patient anxiety.
- Completes scans in just 3.7 seconds, delivering a faster and more comfortable screening experience.
- Provides low-dose 3D imaging with radiation exposure comparable to a standard mammogram.
Highlighting the importance of proactive screening, Dr Selvi Radhakrishna, Senior Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Alwarpet, said:
“Many women still hesitate to undergo breast cancer screening because of fear or the misconception that it is only necessary when symptoms appear. Advanced imaging technologies enable us to detect abnormalities with greater confidence while making the screening process faster and more comfortable.”
Emphasising the life-saving impact of early diagnosis, she added:
“When breast cancer is detected before it spreads to the lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 96%, highlighting the value of regular screening.”
Complementing the advanced mammography platform, the hospital has also introduced Comprehensive Breast Ultrasound Services, enabling specialists to conduct detailed evaluations of suspicious breast abnormalities, particularly in women with dense breast tissue or those requiring additional diagnostic assessment.
Together, these technologies provide clinicians with a more comprehensive understanding of breast health, enabling informed treatment decisions tailored to each patient’s clinical profile.
Doctors also stressed that while advanced technology has revolutionised diagnosis, awareness remains the first line of defence. Women are urged to seek immediate medical consultation if they notice any of the following warning signs:
- A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
- Changes in breast size or shape
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- Bloody nipple discharge
- Persistent pain in one area of the breast
- Nipple inversion or unexplained redness
Medical experts recommend regular breast screening for women aged above 40 years, those with a family history of breast cancer, or anyone experiencing unusual breast changes.
By bringing AI-powered 3D mammography and comprehensive breast ultrasound services under one roof, Apollo Spectra Hospital is not merely introducing another diagnostic technology—it is pioneering a patient-centric approach that places early detection, precision diagnosis and timely intervention at the heart of the fight against one of India’s most formidable women’s health challenges.
