Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 29: In good news for cancer patients in the state, a new nuclear imaging technology and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) facility was introduced by Utkal Institute of Medical Sciences (UIMS) in the city Monday.
According to experts, PET provides a unique advantage of identifying cancer tissues in any part of the body at any stage. It can also show recurrence of the disease after treatment during follow-ups.
“The PET and nuclear imaging facilities are not available in most parts of eastern India, such as Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. We decided to introduce the facility here in order to benefit hundreds of patients who have to travel long distances for tests,” said Dr BK Dash, UIMS director.
“Early detection is important for treatment of cancer or any deadly disease for which patients have to go through a number of tests including CT scan, MRI and ultrasounds whereas with the help of PET, all these tests can be done at once, and at one place,” Dash said.
Statistics revealed that of the total cancer deaths across India, oral cancer contributes to about 17 per cent of deaths among males whereas about 29 per cent females are dying of breast cancer every year.
“Modern cancer detection and treatment facilities are grossly inadequate in the state,” said Dr Kalyan Rath, faculty member of UIMS.
