Tata Memorial Hospital, in collaboration with the Women’s Cancer Initiative (WCI-TMH), is hosting the 23rd Annual Conference on Breast Cancer Management from October 10 to 12, to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The conference brings together national and international experts to address cutting-edge advancements in breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and reconstruction, with a strong focus on Indian patients' unique needs.

“Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in India, accounting for nearly 30% of all cancers in women. Due to increasing urbanization, lifestyle changes, and evolving reproductive patterns, the incidence of breast cancer is rising significantly. Currently, 1 in 20–25 Indian women is at risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. However, modern treatment protocols—including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and genetic testing—have drastically improved cure rates, especially when the disease is detected early,” said a statement from Tata Memorial Hospital.

This year’s conference puts the spotlight on aesthetic outcomes in breast cancer surgery, featuring a dedicated cosmetic surgery workshop. The aim is to restore shape, symmetry, and self-confidence for patients undergoing surgery, the statement said.

The workshop has a live surgical demonstration by plastic surgeon Dr Ajay Hariani, supported by Dr Vinaykant Shankhdhar (Head, Plastic Surgery) and Dr Shalaka Joshi (Head, Breast Surgical Oncology) of Tata Memorial Hospital will showcase advanced techniques like:

* Breast-conserving surgeries

* Mastectomy with immediate or delayed reconstruction

* Fat grafting

* Areola tattooing

* Nipple reconstruction

“Early-stage breast cancer can often be treated without removing the entire breast, and even in advanced cases, reconstruction is now a safe and viable option,” said Dr Joshi.

National faculty including Dr Dushyant Jaiswal, Dr Chaityanand Koppiker, and Dr Vani Parmar will contribute, alongside UK-based breast surgeons Mr Yazan Masannat and Ms Indrani Mukherji. The conference is endorsed by the Association of Breast Surgeons of India, led by its President Dr D G Vijay.

Parallely, the 5th BReast Imaging and Interventional Techniques (BRIIT) Conference will run alongside the main event. This session highlights cutting-edge breast imaging methods that improve diagnostic accuracy and guide conservative surgeries.

“These techniques help detect smaller tumors and improve surgical planning, allowing for better cosmetic and oncologic outcomes,” said Dr Shankhdhar.

Another key focus is on hereditary breast cancer, which constitutes about 10% of all breast cancer cases. Women with a strong family history or diagnosed under the age of 50 may carry genetic mutations, significantly increasing their cancer risk.

Dr Prabhat Bhargava, medical oncologist at Tata Memorial Centre, emphasized the role of the Cancer Genetics Clinic, established in 2003 by Prof Dr Rajiv Sarin. The clinic offers counseling and testing, enabling:

*Early detection through MRI screening

*Risk-reducing surgeries, including prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy

*Robotic surgery for improved outcomes

*Targeted drug therapies for mutation carriers 

Treatment for breast cancer is increasingly personalized. With the help of molecular profiling, subtypes of breast cancer are identified, allowing oncologists to tailor therapy to each patient’s age, stage, and tumor biology.

“Some patients may only require hormone tablets, while others benefit from immunotherapy or targeted therapies,” said Prof Dr Sudeep Gupta, Head of Breast Medical Oncology, who leads the treatment team along with Dr Sushmita Rath and Dr Prabhat Bhargava.

Radiation therapy, led by Prof Dr Rajiv Sarin, Dr Tabassum Wadasadawala, Dr Rima Pathak, and Dr Revathy Krishnamurthy, is also highly customized, minimizing side effects while maximizing effectiveness.

“With this approach, cure rates for Stage 1 and Stage 2 breast cancers exceed 90%,” added Dr Gupta.

WCI-TMH  is  a non-profit initiative, to provide financial support and access to world-class breast and reconstructive surgery for underprivileged women. It is spearheaded by Dr R A Badwe, Emeritus Professor and Ex-Director, Tata Memorial Centre.