Breast cancer, when diagnosed early, can be cured in 95% of cases
To mark Pink October and to highlight the importance that prevention and screening have on breast cancer, the HPA Health Group has launched the Breast Unit in the hospitals of Alvor and Gambelas.
The opening of these specialised units aims to respond to the needs of those who seek this service, from prevention through to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. “By bringing together resources and skills that guarantee an integrated clinical management, we are able to offer an efficient, rigorous and effective service,” states the HPA Group.
Risk assessment and an early diagnosis are of particular relevance, crucial in the prevention of cancer, including a timely control of its progression. This is even more pressing in breast cancer, since when diagnosed early, it can be cured in 95% of the cases.
“Despite having already had multidisciplinary teams working in this area for several years, the HPA felt it important for patients, and even for internal and external referral, to create a more systematic and organised service,” the hospital group continues. “The month of October seemed to us ideal to reveal these units as October is known as Pink October and is also the month of Mamamaratona, of which we are one of the proud main sponsors.”
The HPA Breast Unit integrates various diagnostic imaging exams: 2D Digital Mammography, 3D Tomosynthesis, Ultrasound of the Breast, MRI of the Breast, Image-guided fine needle aspiration Cytology, Image-guided Micro-biopsy, CT Scan, X-ray, and General Ultrasound (staging); Pathology Laboratory and Nuclear Medicine.
Treatment available is divided into medical and surgical, the first of which includes Chemotherapy, Hormonotherapy and Immunotherapy.
As far as surgery is concerned, whenever possible, the most modern minimally invasive technology is used, involving Oncoplastic Surgery (with the support of plastic and reconstructive surgery) and, in specific cases, the use of Intraoperative Radiotherapy (a recent technique that consists of performing immediate single-dose radiation, once the tumour is extracted and during the same surgical procedure, avoiding radiotherapy in the following 5-6 weeks).
