Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Indian women, and one of the most survivable when caught early. A mammogram takes less than 20 minutes. It could save your life. At KD Cancer Centre, we offer state-of-the-art digital mammography in a comfortable, private, women-focused environment.
India faces a growing breast cancer burden. Key facts
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Indian women, accounting for approximately 1 in 7 new cancer diagnoses in women.
Approximately 1.6 lakh new cases are diagnosed every year in India (ICMR data)
Over 60% of Indian women are diagnosed at Stage III or IV — when the cancer is already advanced.
When detected at Stage I, the 5-year survival rate exceeds 95%; at Stage IV, it falls to around 25%
The single most important reason for late diagnosis: delay in screening
Regular mammography screening can detect breast cancer 1–2 years before it can be felt as a lump, when it is most treatable, and when breast-conserving surgery is often still possible.
Digital mammography is a specialised X-ray examination of the breast using advanced digital detectors. Unlike older film-based mammograms, digital images are captured electronically, allowing our radiologists to view, magnify, adjust, and analyse them with far greater precision.
It can detect
Indian women, on average, have denser breast tissue than western women, especially before menopause. Dense tissue can hide abnormalities on older-style mammograms. Digital mammography is significantly more effective at detecting cancer in dense breasts.
Additionally, many Indian women present for their first mammogram later than recommended. We aim to make mammography accessible, comfortable, and clearly explained so that more women choose to screen regularly.
The following women should discuss mammography with their doctor:
A trained female radiographer performs the procedure in a private room:
1 Preparation
You will be asked to remove clothing above the waist. A gown is provided. You may be asked to avoid deodorant or talcum powder on the day, as these can sometimes appear as calcifications on the image.
2 Positioning
Your breast is gently placed on the imaging platform and compressed briefly between two plates. This ensures clear, sharp images and reduces radiation exposure.
3 Image capture
Images are taken from two angles (top-to-bottom and side-to-side) for each breast. The procedure typically takes 15–20 minutes in total.
4 Review by radiologist
Our radiology specialists carefully analyse your digital images for accurate diagnosis.
5 Results and next steps
Your report is shared with your referring doctor.
If a finding needs further assessment, we will arrange additional imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI, or recommend a biopsy if required. Most findings on screening mammograms turn out to be benign (non-cancerous).
Most women experience brief pressure or mild discomfort during compression. It lasts only a few seconds. If you have very sensitive breasts, scheduling the test a week after your period (when tenderness is usually lower) can help. Our staff are trained to make the experience as comfortable as possible.
Yes, mammography is safe. The radiation dose used is very low, approximately equivalent to the amount of natural background radiation you receive over a few months. The benefit of early cancer detection far outweighs this minimal risk.
If your report says you have dense breast tissue, it means the glandular tissue appears white on the mammogram, which can make it harder to see some abnormalities. Your radiologist may recommend an additional ultrasound. It is not a diagnosis of cancer, it simply guides the best approach for your follow-up screening.
Yes. This is the whole point of screening. Mammography is specifically designed to find cancer before symptoms appear. By the time a lump can be felt, the cancer may have been growing for years. Screening when you feel normal is when it is most powerful.
Yes. You do not need to be an existing patient. Please call our radiology department to schedule a screening mammogram. A referral letter from a doctor helps, but walk-in requests for screening can also be accommodated.
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