Dr. Avnish Jolly ,24 Apr : A continuing medical education programme on radiological imaging of women in the middle age (perimenopausal) was held at GMCH, Sector 32 Chandigarh today under the auspices of Punjab and Chandigarh Chapter of Indian Radiological and Imaging Association.
Prof. Suman Kochhar, Head of the Department of Radiodiagnosis at GMCH 32, the organizing chairperson of the conference informed that over 150 delegates from Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi attended the conference. The CME was inaugurated by Prof. Raj Bahadur, the Director Principal of GMCH 32. He, in his address, highlighted that that the rising incidence of cancer in women affecting breasts, uterus and ovaries is a worrisome thing. New technological advancements in radiology are especially useful in detecting cancers of these organs at an early stage so that effective treatment can be instituted. He called upon the medical fraternity to educate the masses to report early to the doctors for early detection of cancer.
The theme of the conference was radiological investigations of benign and cancerous diseases in women, Dr. Suman Kochhar informed. Dr. Brij Thukral, Vice President of Indian Radiological and Imaging Association, gave a talk on current guidelines on screening of breast cancer. He gave detailed information about the need for surveillance for this cancer in women in the perimenopausal age. The simplest and most effective method of detecting early stage of the disease is by the technique of mammography which should be done periodically. Any suspicious lesion should be investigated seriously. If the cancer is detected at an early stage, and treated promptly, the outcome is very rewarding. Women with family history of breast cancer of are especially prone to develop this cancer and they should be regularly screened for it. Prof. P K Srivastava, Head of the Department of Radiodiagnosis at K G Medical College, Lucknow, discussed different radiological techniques, including ultrasound, mammography and MRI of breast lesions. He said that these modern imaging techniques have totally changed the diagnostic perspective of cancer of the breast.
The afternoon session was devoted to imaging of cervix, uterus and ovaries. Prof. Suman Kochhar informed that cancer of the cervix is the commonest cancer in women in India. It is largely preventable if women undergo regular screening for it. Dr. Bhupinder Ahuja from Agra gave a lecture on ultrasound Doppler of ovaries and uterus and emphasized its role in differentiating cancerous from non-cancerous diseases. Dr. Bhattacharya from PGI, Chandigarh, educated the delegates on the role of PET scan in gynecological malignancies. This technique is especially useful in detecting the spread of cancer. He informed that PGI has recently procured this machine the only one in the northern region.