The Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday launched the Breast Imaging Centre and breast cancer risk assessment features in the BruHealth app to improve early detection of breast cancer.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar officiated the launch ceremony at the Breast Imaging Centre at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital.
Radiology Department head Dr Nor Lenny binti Abdullah in her welcoming remarks said, “Breast cancer is often the main cause of cancer death in women around the world.”
She added, “In Brunei Darussalam breast cancer is the main cancer detected among women out of more than 100 cases detected every year.
“From 2002 to 2022, 1,814 cases of breast cancer have been recorded. In 2022 alone, 148 women in the Sultanate have been diagnosed and 35 individuals have passed away due to breast cancer.”
Mammography, she said, “is a diagnostic examination that uses low x-ray radiation designed to help the doctor see any changes or abnormalities in breast tissue such as lumps, discharge, and calcifications.
“In general, mammography screening will be followed by several other examinations such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or breast biopsy to confirm the diagnosis from a mammogram examination. Mammogram services were introduced at the hospital in the 1990s for mammography diagnostics.
“In addition to helping diagnose changes or abnormalities in breast, mammography is also used as a screening tool to detect breast cancer, in fact, mammography remains a gold standard screening for early detection of breast cancer, especially for women who are aged over 40 and do not show any signs of breast cancer.”
Dr Nor Lenny added, “In 2019, the MoH introduced the breast cancer screening programme involving screening mammogram periodically for female citizens and permanent residents aged 40 to 69 and meet the programme’s criteria.
“Since the introduction, mammogram services have been improved and the number of women following the screening programme has also increased.
“Up until May 2024, some 18.3 per cent – or 9,000 women – from among those who meet the criteria have followed the screening programme.”
Following the launch, the minister toured the facilities at the Breast Imaging Centre.
The establishment of Breast Imaging Centre aims to improve breast imaging services at RIPAS Hospital. The centre will increase capability and capacity of breast imaging services in the hospital to support breast cancer prevention and control.
The project also aims to improve quality service and further increase confidence, comfort and privacy of patients undergoing mammogram examination at the hospital.
The new Breast Imaging Centre has three mammogram rooms, three ultrasound rooms, a reporting room and other facilities including two new mammogram machines with latest applications like breast tomosynthesis that can produce more detailed imaging and three-dimensional imaging to improve the quality of cancer diagnosis.
Permanent Secretary at the MoH Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin and Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Professional) at the MoH Dr Hajah Rafidah binti Haji Gharif were also present. – James Kon
