TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital used a robotic arm to treat a 42-year-old woman surnamed Chen (陳) with breast cancer, preserving her appearance and significantly reducing surgical bleeding, CNA reported.

According to the Health Promotion Administration, more than 10,000 women in Taiwan are newly diagnosed with breast cancer annually. Last year, it was the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women.

Kuo Wen-ling (郭玟伶), director of the breast medical center at the hospital, said that some women with the condition are concerned that surgical removal of tumors may affect the appearance of their breasts. She noted that Chen’s breast skin and nipples showed no signs of cancer, allowing doctors to remove the tumor with a robotic arm and reconstruct part of her breast using silicone implants.

Kuo said the robotic surgery only requires a small 3–5 cm cut on the side of the chest or under the armpit. The technique also avoids blind spots that can occur in traditional or endoscopic surgery, allowing doctors to better preserve the breast tissue.

The robotic arm, combining with high-resolution 3D imaging, can move in small spaces and follow the body’s natural shape to remove tissue accurately, Kuo said.

Chen had been advised by another hospital to have her breast removed. Kuo emphasized the robotic surgery’s effectiveness and its minimal impact on Chen, who is undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy following the procedure. 

Since 2018, the hospital has conducted more than 300 robotic-assisted breast cancer surgeries. Kuo, certified in single-port robotic surgery since 2021, has performed over 50 such procedures since 2022. Less than 2% of people who experienced these surgeries see their cancer come back.

Kuo highlighted that breast X-rays are the most effective screening tool for breast cancer. The health ministry allows women aged 40 to 74 to receive a free screening once every two years.