Aami — Healthcare designed around a woman’s life | Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla

From a breast symptom that needs answers to the changing health needs of adolescence, motherhood, menopause and healthy ageing, Aami brings women closer to the right clinical team within one hospital system.

Our flagship Comprehensive Breast Clinic offers focused breast evaluation, imaging, tissue diagnosis, treatment planning, surgery and follow-up through a coordinated multidisciplinary pathway.

About Aami

For the woman in you

Women often delay their own healthcare while caring for everyone and everything around them. Aami was created to make seeking care simpler — and to make women feel seen, heard and treated with dignity.

Aami began with a simple idea: women’s healthcare should not feel fragmented. A woman may first arrive with a breast concern, a menstrual problem, a menopausal symptom, an emotional health concern, a skin condition, or a mobility issue. What she needs is not a maze of departments, but a clear path to the right person.

At Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Aami connects existing clinical expertise across departments into a more woman-friendly pathway. Its first flagship service is the Comprehensive Breast Clinic, with the wider vision extending across adolescence, reproductive health, mental wellbeing, menopause, nutrition, mobility and healthy ageing.

The initiative is built around compassion, privacy, continuity and respectful communication — especially for women who may feel anxious, embarrassed, overwhelmed or unsure about where to begin.

Why Aami

A clear first point of contact

Women are guided to the appropriate service rather than being left to navigate the hospital alone.

Care with dignity

Private conversations, respectful examination and sensitive communication are treated as essential parts of care.

Coordinated expertise

Aami brings together specialists already working within BCMCH, allowing referral and discussion across departments when needed.

Earlier attention to symptoms

The initiative encourages women to seek help for symptoms before fear, embarrassment or competing responsibilities create avoidable delay.

Continuity beyond diagnosis

Care includes not only evaluation, but also treatment planning, surgery where required, recovery, follow-up and survivorship support.

Flagship service

Aami Comprehensive Breast Clinic

One focused pathway for breast symptoms, screening, diagnosis, treatment planning and follow-up.

The Aami Comprehensive Breast Clinic is designed for women with a new breast symptom, an abnormal scan, a family-history concern, a need for screening, or an established breast diagnosis requiring specialist surgical opinion.

You can attend for

A new breast lump or swelling
Breast pain that is persistent or concerning
Nipple discharge, nipple change or retraction
Skin changes, redness, dimpling or non-healing breast lesions
An abnormal mammogram, ultrasound or other breast imaging result
Routine breast screening
A second opinion on a breast diagnosis or treatment plan
Family-history or breast-cancer risk counselling
Post-treatment and survivorship follow-up

Clinical services

Specialist breast consultation and clinical breast examination
Digital mammography and breast ultrasound
Image-guided FNAC and core needle biopsy where indicated
Triple assessment for appropriate breast symptoms
Review of outside imaging, pathology and previous treatment records
Multidisciplinary treatment planning for breast cancer
Breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy
Sentinel lymph node biopsy and axillary surgery where indicated
Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery
Selected breast reconstruction options, including implant-based and autologous / pedicled techniques as clinically appropriate
Postoperative care, surveillance and survivorship follow-up
Referral and coordination with Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Radiology, Pathology and other relevant teams

The Aami breast pathway

Consultation
A detailed history, clinical examination and review of previous reports.
Imaging
Mammography and/or targeted ultrasound when indicated.
Tissue diagnosis
FNAC or core biopsy when a tissue diagnosis is required.
Planning
Results are reviewed and the next step is explained clearly — reassurance, surveillance, surgery, oncology referral or further investigation.
Treatment and follow-up
Women who need surgery or cancer treatment are guided through the appropriate multidisciplinary pathway and followed after treatment.

Aami network

Women’s health across life stages

Aami’s wider model connects women to existing specialist services within BCMCH, with the Comprehensive Breast Clinic as the flagship.

Adolescent health

In association with Paediatrics and Gynaecology

Menstrual and puberty-related concerns
Menarche transition and menstrual education
Anaemia and nutrition-related concerns
PCOS evaluation where appropriate
A private, age-appropriate space to ask sensitive health questions

Women’s mental wellbeing

In association with Psychiatry

Support for anxiety, emotional distress and adjustment to illness
Psychological support during cancer diagnosis and treatment
Referral for mental-health concerns across life stages

Skin and intimate health

In association with Dermatology

Dermatological concerns affecting women
Evaluation of venereal / sexually transmitted disease concerns with privacy and dignity

Menopause and metabolic health

In association with Medical Endocrinology

Post-menopausal health assessment
Bone and metabolic health
Hormone-related and endocrine concerns
Risk-factor assessment and healthy ageing advice

Mobility and healthy ageing

In association with PMR and Geriatrics

Mobility, function and rehabilitation needs
Healthy ageing support
Falls, frailty and musculoskeletal concerns in older women

Nutrition

In association with Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics

Nutrition assessment
Weight and metabolic health counselling
Dietary support during cancer treatment and recovery
Nutrition across adolescence, menopause and healthy ageing

Who Aami is for

Care that changes with you

Aami is designed around the reality that women’s health needs change over time — and that access to the right clinician should remain simple.

Adolescence

Puberty, menstrual health, nutrition, emotional wellbeing and confidential guidance.

Young adulthood

Breast awareness, menstrual and endocrine concerns, skin and intimate health, nutrition and mental wellbeing.

Midlife and menopause

Breast screening, menopausal health, bone health, metabolic risk, emotional wellbeing and lifestyle support.

Older women

Breast health, healthy ageing, mobility, nutrition, rehabilitation and geriatric coordination.

Any age — breast concerns

Any woman with a new breast symptom, abnormal imaging, family-history concern or need for specialist breast review may approach the Comprehensive Breast Clinic.

The team

A multidisciplinary team, connected around the woman

Aami is designed to use the strength of existing specialists at BCMCH while creating a more coordinated patient experience.

Lead profile

Dr Arunima Poulose

Consultant Breast Oncoplastic & Reconstructive Surgeon · Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla

Dr Arunima Poulose is a Consultant Breast Oncoplastic & Reconstructive Surgeon at BCMCH, with advanced training from CMC Vellore, Tata Medical Center Kolkata and the Nightingale Breast Centre, Manchester. Her practice focuses on breast diagnosis, breast cancer surgery, oncoplastic breast conservation, axillary surgery, reconstruction and survivorship care.

Read full profile

Dr Arunima Poulose is a breast surgeon with focused training in breast oncoplastic and reconstructive surgery. Her clinical practice spans the evaluation of breast symptoms, breast cancer surgery, breast-conserving surgery, oncoplastic techniques, axillary surgery, selected reconstructive procedures and post-treatment follow-up.

She completed her MS in General Surgery in 2020, followed by focused training in Breast and Endocrine Surgery at Christian Medical College, Vellore. From 2023 to 2025, she underwent a two-year fellowship in Breast Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Tata Medical Center, Kolkata. She subsequently completed an observership at the Nightingale Breast Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, in 2025.

She re-joined Believers Church Medical College Hospital in February 2026 as Consultant Breast Oncoplastic & Reconstructive Surgeon and leads the Aami Comprehensive Breast Clinic. Her work places particular emphasis on timely diagnosis, breast conservation whenever oncologically appropriate, thoughtful surgical planning, multidisciplinary care and preserving quality of life after breast cancer treatment.

Alongside clinical practice, she is actively involved in surgical education, breast-cancer awareness, clinical audit and the development of structured breast-care pathways. She has served as faculty at national breast-surgery academic meetings and has contributed to training in oncoplastic techniques.

Professional highlights

MS General Surgery (2020)
Focused training in Breast & Endocrine Surgery — Christian Medical College, Vellore (2023)
Two-year fellowship in Breast Oncoplastic & Reconstructive Surgery — Tata Medical Center, Kolkata (2023–2025)
Observership — Nightingale Breast Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester (2025)
Consultant Breast Oncoplastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, BCMCH — February 2026 to present
Faculty participation in national breast-surgery academic programmes, including ABSICON
Clinical and academic interests: oncoplastic breast conservation, axillary management, breast reconstruction, post-neoadjuvant surgery, surgical de-escalation, audit and survivorship

Aami Breast Clinic Coordinator

The Breast Clinic Coordinator is a patient’s practical point of contact through the breast-care pathway. The role includes helping women navigate appointments, investigations and referrals; coordinating communication between services; supporting outreach and awareness activities; and helping ensure that women who need follow-up do not become lost between departments.

The coordinator also supports community-facing breast-health initiatives in collaboration with Community Medicine and other Aami partners, helping identify women who need hospital evaluation after awareness or screening activities.

The Aami experience

A space that feels private, calm and respectful

Clinical quality matters. So does how a woman feels while receiving care.

Aami’s patient experience should communicate privacy, clarity and reassurance from the moment a woman arrives. The environment should allow sensitive conversations and examinations to take place without hurry or embarrassment, while keeping referral and diagnostic steps easy to understand.

Your visit

What to expect at the Comprehensive Breast Clinic

Book an appointment or contact the Aami desk. Walk-in availability may be offered depending on clinic operations.

Meet the breast specialist for history, examination and review of previous records.

Complete appropriate breast imaging and other investigations as advised.

If a biopsy is needed, the procedure and expected reporting time are explained before it is scheduled or performed.

Receive a clear next-step plan. This may be reassurance, follow-up imaging, surgery, oncology referral, further testing or multidisciplinary discussion.

If treatment is required, the Aami team helps coordinate the relevant pathway within BCMCH.

Please bring previous mammograms, ultrasound images, pathology reports, operation records and a current medication list whenever available.

Frequently asked questions

Before you come

Do I need a referral to attend the Aami Comprehensive Breast Clinic?

No. You may seek a specialist breast consultation directly. If you have previous scans, reports, biopsy results or treatment records, please bring them.

I have breast pain but no lump. Should I still come?

Yes, if the pain is persistent, focal, associated with another change, or worrying you. Most breast pain is not caused by cancer, but a clinical assessment can determine whether imaging or treatment is needed.

I found a painless breast lump. Can I wait and see?

A new lump should be assessed even if it is painless. Many lumps are benign, but pain is not a reliable way to distinguish a harmless lump from one that needs investigation.

Can I come for screening even if I have no symptoms?

Yes. The clinic can advise whether screening mammography or another assessment is appropriate based on your age, personal history and family history.

At what age should mammography start?

Screening recommendations vary with individual risk and the guideline being followed. For average-risk women, many programmes begin regular mammographic screening from around age 40 or 50. The Aami team can advise a schedule appropriate to your risk rather than using a single rule for everyone.

Will my evaluation be completed on the same day?

Consultation and imaging can often be coordinated closely. Some investigations, especially pathology after a biopsy, require additional processing time. The team will explain what can be completed that day and when the remaining results can be expected.

If cancer is diagnosed, do I have to undergo mastectomy?

No. The type of surgery depends on tumour size and location, breast size, biology, response to treatment, genetic or risk factors, and patient preference. Many women can undergo breast-conserving surgery, including oncoplastic techniques, when it is oncologically appropriate.

Can I get a second opinion?

Yes. You can bring your existing imaging, pathology and treatment records for review.

Can a family member accompany me?

Yes, subject to hospital policy and privacy requirements. You may choose to have a trusted person involved in discussions about your care.

What should I bring for a breast appointment?

Bring identification and hospital registration details if available, all previous breast imaging and reports, biopsy or pathology reports, prior treatment summaries, and a list of current medicines.

Community & outreach

Taking breast awareness beyond the hospital

Aami’s breast-health work extends into the community through awareness, education and structured referral pathways. In collaboration with the Department of Community Medicine and community partners, outreach activities can identify women with symptoms or screening needs and connect them to the Comprehensive Breast Clinic for appropriate evaluation.

Outreach focus

Breast-cancer awareness built around ‘fact over fear’
Breast symptom education in simple, non-alarming language
Encouraging timely evaluation of new breast changes
Community and workplace awareness sessions
Targeted screening / evaluation camps where clinically appropriate
Medical social-worker supported navigation and referral
Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities
Survivorship and patient-support gatherings

Education & academic work

Building better breast care through training

The Comprehensive Breast Clinic also supports professional education and quality improvement. Areas of academic interest include breast-conserving surgery after neoadjuvant therapy, axillary management, oncoplastic techniques, reconstructive options, appropriate de-escalation of surgery, audit of outcomes and evidence-based multidisciplinary care.

This educational focus complements Aami’s public-health goal: women should receive care that is not only compassionate, but also current, evidence-based and thoughtfully individualised.

Our story

Why the Aami Comprehensive Breast Clinic was created

A woman notices a painless lump. It does not hurt, so she keeps going — work, children, home, family, the endless list of things that seem more urgent. She mentions it casually. Someone tells her not to worry because it is painless. Another week passes, then another.

This is how delay often happens: not because a woman does not care about her health, but because daily life is noisy and illness can be frightening. Some women are embarrassed to discuss a breast symptom. Some do not know which specialist to see. Some are reassured too early by people around them.

Aami was created to reduce those barriers. At Believers Church Medical College Hospital, we wanted a woman to have a clear place to begin — somewhere that combines clinical expertise with privacy, compassion and practical navigation.

The Comprehensive Breast Clinic became Aami’s flagship because breast symptoms demonstrate exactly why coordinated care matters: examination, imaging, biopsy, surgery, oncology and follow-up may involve several teams, but the woman should not feel that she is carrying the system on her shoulders.

Aami’s wider vision is to extend that same philosophy across women’s health — from adolescence to menopause and healthy ageing — using the strength of the specialists already present within BCMCH and connecting them around the needs of the woman.

We care for you. We see you. And we want you to know where to begin.

Appointments

Come and see us

Aami helpline: +91 90489 22030
Aami email: aami@bcmch.org
Appointment desk: 0469 270 3100 · 0469 350 3100

Healthcare designed around a woman’s life