Malayali doctor develops budget-friendly breast cancer clipping technique to slash treatment costs

A Malayali radiologist has developed a revolutionary and highly cost-effective breast cancer clipping technique that has garnered widespread international acclaim. Dr Teena Sleeba, a Senior Consultant in the Department of Radiology at Rajagiri Hospital in Aluva, Kochi, presented her breakthrough findings at the 24th Asian Oceanian Congress of Radiology (AOCR). She was the sole breast radiologist representing India at the prestigious conference, which was attended by over 1,000 delegates from 42 countries.

Revolutionising breast cancer care at a fraction of the cost
Dr Sleeba's innovative method for clipping breast cancer tumours and axillary lymph nodes has been lauded for its potential to democratise cancer care. While the standard global procedure typically costs upwards of $1,300 (approximately ₹1.25 lakh), Dr Sleeba’s newly developed technique slashes this cost to under $20 (approximately ₹1,900). Retaining the same precision and efficacy as its expensive counterparts, this budget-friendly breakthrough offers massive relief to patients, particularly in developing nations where financial barriers often hinder access to quality healthcare.

How the clip and blue technique works
In modern breast cancer treatment, a tiny clip is inserted into the tumour before the patient undergoes chemotherapy. As the chemo sessions shrink the tumour to millimetre dimensions, it can become incredibly difficult to locate during surgery. Under Dr Sleeba's "Clip and Blue" method, a radiologist injects a safe methylene blue dye around the pre-placed clip just before surgery. This acts as a precise visual guide, allowing surgeons to cleanly excise the remaining cancerous cells while preserving the natural shape of the breast through breast-conserving surgery.

A result of collaborative dedication
Dr Sleeba said the milestone is the culmination of three years of rigorous research and collaboration across various clinical departments at the Rajagiri Cancer Centre. A native of the Valayil Poovanthara family in Kottayam, Dr Sleeba has been serving at Rajagiri Hospital for the past 12 years. Her innovative 'Clip and Blue' technique has previously received recognition from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), cementing its status as a scientifically robust and globally viable solution for affordable oncology care.