Reports: Breast Cancer Cases In India To Rise To 2.3 Lakh By 2025; Read To Know Prevention Measures

Breast Cancer Cases in India: The World Health Organization estimates that more than 20 lakh females were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, and more than 6 lakh died because of the chronic disease. The most common malignancy among women in India is breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Registry Programme study by the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research, more than 2 lakh women in India were expected to receive a breast cancer diagnosis in 2020, and more than 76,000 fatalities were expected to occur.

Cancer cases to in India to increase

In 2025, there would be more than 2.3 lakh cases, according to the research. “Breast cancer is the commonest cause of cancer related deaths in women. Although up to 10 per cent of cases could be attributed to hereditary factors, breast cancer continues to be predominantly a lifestyle related disease. Increasing life expectancy, later age at the time of first child birth, nulliparity, obesity and alcohol consumption are some of the important risk factors,” Dr Jyoti Wadhwa, Vice-Chairperson and HOD Medical Oncology and Hematology, Paras Health, Gurugram said.

“One important cause of the rise of breast cancer is that we have adopted a westernised lifestyle which includes obesity, stress, habits like smoking habits, alcohol or fast-food habits. Apart from that the food that we eat, ultra processed food which is unhealthy fats and high sugar foods also contribute to it,” added Dr. Peush Bajpai, HOD and Consultant – Medical Hemato Oncologist, HCMCT Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka.

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Women under 40 years of age at risk

According to a recent AIIMS study, 30% of breast cancer cases in Delhi were reported to be in women under the age of 40. The statistics show that among 1 lakh individuals in 2015, it was estimated that 35 women had breast cancer and 17 males had lung cancer. With a 34.9% increase in breast cancer cases from 2,657 to 3,611 in 2022, this number rose dramatically.

“When we look at the breast cancer statistics in the Western world, we diagnose breast cancer at nearly a median age of the sixth decade, whereas in India we are diagnosed in the fourth decade, to be precise it’s nearly 49 years,” Dr Bapai said.

In addition, “in these younger women, breast cancer tends to be more aggressive, of higher grade and often of triple negative type, thereby resulting in worse outcome. Almost 2/3rd of these patients present to us in advanced stages,” Dr Wadhwa said.

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Here’s how you can protect yourself

According to research, certain lifestyle modifications can lower a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.  “Limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, avoiding hormonal therapies or contraceptives, breast-feeding, avoiding smoking, and eating a balanced diet can certainly lower the risk of breast cancer,” Dr Agarwal said.

The specialists blamed women’s limited awareness of breast cancer signs, especially in rural areas, and their inadequate nutritional intake.  “Breast cancer can have a variety of symptoms depending on the stage of cancer. Some symptoms include, breast lump, change in size and appearance of breasts, change in shape, redness, change in appearance of nipple, fluid or blood discharge from nipple, and breast pain,” Dr Rajeev Agarwal, Senior Director – Cancer Institute, Medanta Gurugram said.