Ghana’s hi-tech war against breast cancer

One woman dies of breast cancer every 69 seconds globally.

In Ghana it is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women.

Statistics indicate that 2,062 new breast cancer cases and 1,137 breast cancer deaths were estimated annually in the country.

Comparatively, the of age of developing cancer is younger in Ghana than in the USA. In Ghana almost 50 per cent of identified cancer cases are usually in its advances stages.

Making women aware of about breast cancer, therefore, remains a most effective means of spreading knowledge of the disease.

But provision of advanced screening machines to quickly and effectively diagnose and treat the ailment, however, remains a critical factor that ensures that less number of women become casualty to the disease.

And Fujifilm's Amulet F and S 3D digital mammogram technology offer the best hope yet in effective detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, experts say.

Already approved and in use in Europe, the Amulet F and S machines are now just being introduced into Ghana, one of a few African countries where the equipment is currently available, by Agvad Ghana Limited.

Ghana's leading company in medical imaging systems, Agvad Ghana Limited introduced the equipments to adavnce the fight the scourge of breast cancer through provision of advanced screening machines, said managing director, Gamel Sinare .

Fujifilm's Amulet machines employ NVIDIA's high performance K2000D GPU for reliable performance, and high quality stereoscopic imaging.

The 3D technology works by taking two high resolution (X-ray) images at 0 degree and 4 degree angles, and combining them into one image, mimicking the stereoscopic vision of the human eyes, thus enabling accurate depth perception. The composite image is displayed on a 3D clam-shell display, which allows physicians to accurately locate the precise position of any detectable tumor. The X-ray dosage required for the 3D imaging to work is only 1.3-1.5 times larger than standard 2D mammography, however the increase in detail is said to be remarkable.

The Amulet digital mammography system by FujiFilm provides pixel pitch of 50µm, the world's smallest, from a Direct-conversion FPD system.

By achieving both 50µm fine pixel size (higher resolution) and low noise, the Amulet system can show microcalcifications and tumors in greater detail, both significant indicators for early diagnosis of breast cancer.

Integrated x-ray control allows settings and confirmation of imaging conditions on one screen; portrait-type monitor enhances both image viewing and operability; examination screen can be split and switched between 1, 2, or 4 sections; and comes with automatic & manual left/right image position adjustment.

Density and contrast can be adjusted with both left/right images

Amulet uses the mammography image processing technology from our proven FCR system. It provides high quality images that enhance visualization of the mammary tissue and greater detail of abnormal areas. Thus, Amulet helps ease the diagnostic process.

Using a direct conversion x-ray sensor with excellent conversion efficiency, the Amulet F and S offer greater comfort and improved usability, the machines are easy for radiographer to use and gentle on the patient.

The buttons are shaped to be easily identified by touch alone; information is displayed on screens both on the compression arm and at the foot of the unit; and, a single-touch function allows the Amulet to be positioned automatically to the desired swivel arm angle between exposures for faster examinations, returning the unit to the upright position once these are completed.

The machines also offer well-balanced, gentle support coupled with optional foam chest wall or axilla pads to improve patient comfort during examinations.

Plus, a full range of compression plates are available, including those optimised for small breasts, for more accurate positioning. Both collimation and image output sizes are automatically adjusted to 18×24cm or 24×30cm as required.

And, easy to use controls on the compression arm are provided to allow adjustment of the height of the Amulet and the swivel arm angle, and there is also the ability to vary the automatically set compression force, if necessary, using a simple dial.

The equipment also come with specially designed AWS (Acquisition Workstation) with such amazing features as, integrated x-ray controller that allows setting and confirmation of exposure conditions on a single screen; an examination screen that can be split and switched between 1, 2, or 4 images; portrait-type monitor that enhances both image viewing and operability; density and contrast that can be easily adjusted while reviewing images; allows for positions of left or right images to be adjusted both automatically and manually; and, high definition second monitor.

A second high resolution monitor can be added to the AWS making it possible, if connected to PACS, to display previous images to enable more accurate examinations.

The Amulet's ability to deliver detailed, 50 µm resolution, images to its high resolution display enables precise and efficient biopsy examinations.

By attaching the lateral adapter, puncture can be performed not only vertically but also laterally to the compressed breast. Two puncture directions are now available, enabling wider application of mammographic needle biopsy.

Winner of Japan's Good Design Award for providing patients with comfort and technologists with superb usability, Amulet F and Amulet S are acclaimed for drastically enhancing the quality of diagnostic images.

Breast cancer strikes earlier in black women than women from other races.

And in Ghana, which ranks 10th in Africa for breast cancer cases, the stark reality is that many women who have died from the disease report late to the hospital, making survival very slim.

Late presentation has been considered as a challenge with an average of 60 per cent of women reporting either at stage three or four when it has been with them for at least ten months before seeking any medical consultation.

Even where there is early presentation, proper diagnosis of the disease using advanced, quality screening machines; as well as the wide availability and easy accessibility of such equipment still remain critical issues, however.

Hopefully, as this technology becomes available in Ghana, it's acceptance and use in hospitals around the country will significantly increase tumor detection efficiency, and help physicians and patients get the most out of each screening.

AMULET MAMOGRAPHY MACHINE-1