World Cancer Day was celebrated at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, as has been the practice for the past several years. This was done in conjunction with CanServe, a cancer support group initiative of the Department of Oncology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi. This year, the World Cancer Day celebration was combined with the launch the Women’s Comprehensive Health Care Program and the inauguration of the Breast Clinic.

Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, inaugurated a specialized clinic for a one-stop-solution for all breast-related medical ailments on February 4, 2020.

Dr. Vishal Marwaha (Principal School of Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi) welcomed the gathering and Dr. Prem Nair (Medical Director, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi) gave the Presidential address. Dr. Beena M. formally inaugurated the World Cancer Day celebrations and the Women’s Comprehensive Health Care Program.

“We are obliged to Dr. Beena for gracing the ceremony as the chief guest. We are also grateful to popular film-star Samyuktha Menon for launching our website and unveiling the logo. The Breast Centre unit is a part of Paripoorna, a Centre for Comprehensive Women’s Healthcare. Paripoorna offers the best state-of-the-art comprehensive healthcare package for multi-disciplinary consultation for female patients,” said Dr. Beena K. V. (Senior Medical Administrator, in-charge of Paripoorna Women’s Health Clinic), after the launch of the Centre on World Cancer Day.

“Our new Breast Centre provides state-of-art surgical techniques, radiological evaluation, radiation treatment, and post-treatment rehabilitation all under one roof and by doctors trained specifically for breast imaging, surgery, and radiation,” she said.

Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences has been one of the earliest hospitals in Kerala to offer Oncoplastic breast surgery since 2014. The hospital now has surgeons trained in Oncoplastic breast surgery from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England. The doctors and nurses will follow the international norms of Breast Care clinics.

“The hospital is offering post-mastectomy rehabilitation and silicone external breast prosthesis for breast cancer patients. We also offer a complete range of Oncoplastic surgeries from the local remodeling of the breast to local and pedicled flaps, implant reconstruction and free flaps for breast reconstruction,” shared Dr. Vijayakumar ( Head of the Surgical Oncology Unit, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi). He added that the objective of having a dedicated unit for breast diseases is to provide comprehensive care for all breast-related problems by female surgeons.

The new Centre is located within the Oncology Centre of the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences where more than 500 cases of breast cancer are treated every year. Besides this, around 1,000 cases of benign breast diseases are also treated at the hospital.

Dr. Beena added, “We also have a state-of-the-art breast imaging centre with a breast radiologist offering digital breast tomography, 1.5 t breast MRI unit, with more than 1,500 image-guided and diagnostic procedures yearly to our credit”

The hospital has three surgeons in the breast unit who are trained in surgical oncology and breast oncoplastic surgery. A highly qualified breast onco-pathologist and breast radiologist are also available. All surgeons are highly trained and they are also trained in Breast Oncoplastic surgery technique from the UK.

Dr. Anupama Rajanbabu (Head of Gynaec Oncology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi), explained the concept of the comprehensive women’s health care program, especially with regard to the Gynaec oncology services. The felicitations were offered by Dr. Rajesh Pai (Medical Superintendent, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi), Dr. Radamani (Professor and Head of Gynaecology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi) and Dr. Pradeep Jacob (Professor and Head of General Surgery, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi). The vote of thanks was delivered by Mrs. Ambika Chandrashekhar (Treasurer, CanServe).

The inaugural function was followed by patients’ experience sharing and a skit followed by lunch. A poster competition was conducted post the inaugural function, among the various colleges within the Amrita organization and quiz competition for children from various schools in Cochin. The prize distribution ceremony for these events was done during the inaugural function.