“2nd Hands Workshop on Mammography & DEXA positioning”

 

By 1 2 1 News Reporter

Chandigarh 21^st  September:- Four days 2nd  Hands on "Workshop on Mammography & DEXA positioning" with Prof. N. Khandelwal as chairperson and Dr. S.C Bansal as organizing secretary was held in the PGIMER Chandigarh  being organized by the Department of Radiodiagnosis & Imaging, This workshop which started on  17th September, 2013   has ended today on 20th  September, 2013.    It was  held for the 2nd  time in the country jointly with RAD-AID" International a non-profit public service organization from USA and Indian Association of Radiological Technologists a professional body representing more than 3000  life time  members comprising of radiographers and radiological technologists from all over India  on its roll.  During these four days only  experienced female Radiographers/Radiological Technologists which were 30 in numbers working in the field of radiodiagnosis and imaging as well as  mammography from the leading medical institutes/colleges of the neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Union Territory of Chandigarh apart from PGIMER, Chandigarh were selected to  attend this workshop.  This comprised of delegates from BPKIHS, Nepal, AIIMS, New Delhi, PGIMS, Rohtak,  Indira Gandhi Government Medical college ,Simla (H.P.), Govt. Medical College Amritsar ,Civil Hospital, Jalandhar, Bathinda and Mata Kaushalya Hospital, Patiala, Command Hospital, Chandimandir,  Govt. Medical College, Sector 32, Chandigarh, Govt. Multispecialty Hospital Chandigarh as well as  from PGIMER Chandigarh. Apart from faculty of PGIMER, eminent faculty of RAD-AID(U.S.A.) namely Ms Kayiba Medlen, an experienced mammographer working  as a  general programs manager for RAD AID and a consultant with the Pan American Health Organisation (W.H.O),U.S.A, Jackie Kobeski,  an expert in mammography from Breast Health Services of Lehigh Valley Health Network in Paennsylvania and  Cherish Dow practicing Mammographer with  expertise in Stereotactic Biopsy from Tacoma, Washington.  From PGIMER senior faculty in Radiological Technology comprising of Dr.S C Bansal  lecturer & Secretary General of  Indian Association of  Radiological Technologists,  Mr.  Ram singh, Mr L.K Gupta had delivered lectures on Bone densitometery & DEXA scanning, developments in mammography equipments and Advances in image receptors in mammography respectively  as well as radiologists Dr. Veenu Singla and  Dr Tulika Singh delivered lectures  on Advances in Breast Imaging and Ductography as well as  stereotactic breast bioposy during this hands on workshop apart from providing hands on training to the participants. Dr Bansal in his lecture highlighted the significance of Bone densitometery in evaluating osteoporosis   -A systemic skeleton disease characterized by low bone mass & micro architectural deterioration of bone tissues with a consequent increase in bone fragility & susceptibility to the fracture. The loss of bone occurs "silently" and progressively. Often there are no symptoms until the first fracture occurs.

He also highlighted that osteoporosis is a disease of the elderly, the prevalence of which will increase as the population ages. Already, every third postmenopausal woman and every fifth man older than 50, suffers from osteoporosis. In India the number of osteoporosis patients which were approximately 26 million (2003 Figures) are  projected to increase to 36 million by 2013 (as per Osteoporotic Society of India report ). In a study among Indian women aged 30-60 years from low income groups, bone mineral density  (BMD) at all the skeletal sites was much lower than values reported from developed countries, with a high prevalence of osteopenia (52%) and osteoporosis (29%) thought to be due to inadequate nutrition (Shatrugna et al, 2005). According to WHO data, one out of eight males and one out of three females in India has osteoporosis. Low nutritional levels among the poor make treatment difficult.  The purpose of the workshop was to share positioning techniques in order to improve image quality and implement advanced techniques. RAD-AID International is a United States nonprofit organization that aims at improving access to radiology services in developing countries.  Radiology services involve not only the acquisition of modern imaging equipment, but also the ability of trained operators.  Radiographers' knowledge ranges from proper positioning of the anatomy of interest to the appropriate technical factors utilized to visualizing the image.  Although higher image quality increases breast cancer detection, early discovery is most crucial to saving lives.   Women in India are encouraged to have a mammogram and DEXA exams.  Breast cancer knows no boundaries and affects women everywhere regardless of age, socioeconomic status, race and culture. 

On the concluding ceremony Professor Y.K Chawla Director PGIMER appreciated the efforts of department of Radiodiagnosis for taking this wonderful initiative in spreading the awareness among radiography professional in doing proper positioning and delivering accurate results for the proper diagnosis of breast cancer and osteoporosis. Prof. Y.K. Chawla distributed the certificate of participation to all the attendees of this workshop and a set of books on mammography positioning was also distributed to the representative of each  Institution. Professor Khandelwal thanked the guest faculty from RAD AID, PGIMER and IART for organization of this successful 4 days workshop and all the delegates for coming all the way to attend this conference.   Dr S C Bansal organizing secretary proposed vote of thanks and assured the participating delegate that the proceedings of this 4 days workshop would be compiled in the booklet form and distributed to all the participants which would act as a reference for future purpose.  And many more such kind of workshops are in the pipeline to train the radiographers from other parts of the country.