A 42-year-old pregnant woman from Imphal successfully overcame breast cancer after undertaking four cycles of chemotherapy at the American Oncology Institute at Babina Cancer Hospital in Imphal East.
According to Medical Oncology of the hospital Dr (Brig) Anil Kumar Dhar, it is the first time in the state that a cancer patient has been treated successfully.
Speaking to the media, Anil said the patient detected a breast lump during her 16th week of pregnancy and initially it was learned that the lump in her breast was cancerous.
After administration of chemotherapy under strict monitoring of both mother and foetus, the team of Babina Cancer hospital gradually took her to safety and a healthy male baby was delivered by caesarian section in the second week of January, he said, adding, "Thus two lives, of mother and precious baby were saved."
Cost is not the issue for such treatment as a cycle of chemotherapy causes only around Rs.10,000, he added.
The doctor lauded all the doctors, nurses and supporting staff of the hospital for the successful treatment.
According to the doctor, changes in lifestyle such as obesity, consumption of red meat, alcohol, tobacco, lack of exercise, remaining childless and genetic factors are the main causes of breast cancer.
Stating that breast cancer is on the rise in the country, he said conducting genetic testing and screening of breast for women above 40 years is the best preventive measures to prevent breast cancer.
He explained that by conducting genetic testing, a doctor can predict the possibility of getting breast cancer in the future. As a result, the treatment process can be taken up before the development of breast cancer easily, he added.
