In a significant step towards improving early breast cancer detection, a leading cancer centre in the national capital has introduced an advanced MRI-guided breast biopsy technique. This development comes amid evidence that 10–20 per cent of breast cancers may be missed during mammography, particularly in women with dense breast tissue.
Addressing Gaps in Routine Breast Cancer Screening
According to an official statement issued on Wednesday, the Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre has launched MRI-guided Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy (MRI-guided VABB). This advanced technique aims to identify cancers that often go undetected during routine screening. Importantly, such cancers can grow silently without forming a lump or showing early symptoms, which frequently leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Rising Concern Over Early-Onset Breast Cancer in India
As reported by NDTV, this challenge is especially critical in India, where breast cancer increasingly affects younger women, often nearly a decade earlier than in Western countries. Moreover, a large proportion of cases continue to be diagnosed at advanced stages, resulting in more aggressive treatment and poorer clinical outcomes.
Expert View: Enhancing Accuracy and Early Confirmation
Commenting on the launch, Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of the Apollo Hospitals Group, stated that the new technique will enable earlier and more accurate confirmation of breast cancer.
She added, “This initiative strengthens the entire breast diagnostic pathway with greater precision, speed, and clinical confidence, helping detect breast cancer earlier and enabling timely, minimally invasive intervention.”
Faster MRI Scans Through AI-Enabled Technology
In addition, the centre has significantly reduced breast MRI scan time from nearly 50 minutes to less than 15 minutes. By leveraging high-resolution MRI systems supported by AI-based protocols, the hospital has achieved this without compromising diagnostic accuracy. Consequently, MRI screening is expected to become more accessible for women with dense breasts or those at high risk.
Data Highlights the Urgency for Early Detection
Citing Indian data, the statement noted that a study involving 2,470 breast cancer patients found that 14.3 per cent were under the age of 40. Alarmingly, nearly 70 per cent of these younger patients were diagnosed at Stage III or IV. Furthermore, 45.7 per cent of them had triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive subtype associated with poorer outcomes.
Radiology Expert Stresses the Role of MRI-Guided Biopsy
Emphasising the importance of early detection, Dr. Jyoti Arora, Senior Consultant and Lead, Department of Breast Radiology, said that routine screening is often less effective in younger women with dense breast tissue. She explained that MRI-guided VABB can detect and confirm breast cancer at a very early stage, often at Stage 0, before the disease progresses.
Case Study Demonstrates Life-Saving Potential
The statement also highlighted a recent case involving a 70-year-old woman who presented with bloody nipple discharge despite normal mammography and ultrasound findings. An MRI-guided VABB subsequently detected Stage 0 breast cancer, allowing for timely surgical intervention and improved prognosis.
Need for Advanced Diagnostics as Burden Rises
Breast cancer currently accounts for nearly 27–28 per cent of all cancers among Indian women, and experts expect this burden to rise sharply in the coming decades. Therefore, the introduction of more accurate and early diagnostic methods, such as MRI-guided VABB, is critical to improving survival rates and treatment outcomes.