At the Oukam Military Hospital in Dakar, a groundbreaking biopsy technique is now transforming how breast cancer is detected and treated, marking a major medical first in West Africa made possible by €125,000 in funding from the MRD Foundation.
The funding has enabled the hospital to introduce sentinel lymph node biopsies using immunofluorescence, a highly advanced and precise method for identifying cancer cells at their earliest stages. This allows for faster, more accurate diagnosis and less invasive procedures compared with traditional biopsies. This specialised equipment is expected to remain in service for at least ten years and will benefit a minimum of 500 patients each year, ensuring women in Dakar have access to reliable, life-saving breast cancer care for years to come.
The innovation represents a major leap forward for breast cancer care in the region. Byallowing doctors to detect cancer in the first lymph node affected, it reduces the need for extensive surgery, lowers the risk of complications and improves survival rates, while also protecting patients’ long-term wellbeing and quality of life.
This initiative reflects the MRD Foundation’s mission to strengthen healthcare systems through targeted investment in medical innovation. By supporting modern, evidence-based techniques, the Foundation is not only advancing patient outcomes, but also ensuring that patients in Senegal have access to the same life-saving tools found in leading hospitals around the world.
Read more here: https://www.seneweb.com/en/news/Sante/breast-cancer-ouakam-military-hospital-innovates-with-sentinel-lymph-node-biopsy_n_478636.html