Simran Arora

Why Is Breast Cancer Among The Top Three Cancers In Indian Women?

breast cancer

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/breast-cancer">Breast cancer</a> has become one of the most serious public health concerns for women in India. While it was the fourth most frequent <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a> in the 1990s, it is now one of the top cancers among Indian women, with a new case being diagnosed every four minutes. It accounts for nearly 13.5% of all new cancer cases and about 10% of cancer-related deaths nationally. This rapid increase is a result not only of biological risks but also of major lifestyle and social changes.

Dr. Darshana Rane, Consultant Medical Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre, Borivali, in an interview with Health and Me, spoke about the increasing incidence of breast cancer in Indian women.

Read more: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/can-hormonal-imbalances-increase-endometrial-cancer-risk-article-153956546" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Can Hormonal Imbalances Increase Endometrial Cancer Risk?</a>

<h2>Changing Reproductive and Hormonal Patterns</h2>

During the last three decades, there has been a significant shift in the reproductive patterns of Indian women. There has been a trend of delayed marriage, delayed first pregnancy, fewer children, and shorter durations of breastfeeding. All of this has increased lifetime exposure to oestrogen, a known risk factor for breast cancer.

<ol><li>Urbanisation and Lifestyle: Rapid urbanisation has resulted in a sedentary lifestyle, increased rates of obesity, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods and alcohol, and exposure to tobacco. These are well-recognised risk factors for breast cancer. The number of cases of breast cancer has been found to be higher in urban areas than in rural areas, and the highest number of cases is found in metropolitan cities. This rapid increase is a result not only of biological risks but also of major lifestyle and social changes. </li>Changing Reproductive and Hormonal Patterns: During the last three decades, there has been a significant shift in the reproductive patterns of Indian women. There has been a trend of delayed marriage, delayed first pregnancy, fewer children, and shorter durations of breastfeeding. All of this has increased lifetime exposure to oestrogen, a known risk factor for breast cancer.</ol>

<li>Healthcare Gaps and Access Barriers: Healthcare infrastructure gaps also create a problem. Most of these centres do not have modern facilities for diagnosis and treatment, and the cost of treatment is also a burden on the family budget. Modern treatments such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy are not easily accessible.</li>

Read more: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/the-health-problems-women-normalise-but-gynaecologists-do-not-article-153943994" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">The Health Problems Women Normalise, But Gynaecologists Do Not</a>

Early Detection and Awareness

Creating awareness among women about the need for regular breast self-examinations and screenings is the need of the hour, which will help identify potential issues at an early stage. Workplaces can help by organising awareness campaigns, health talks, and regular screening sessions, which will help in preventive care.

Moreover, awareness campaigns carried out in regular hangout spots like shopping malls, markets, salons, and dance and fitness classes can help reach women who are in their late 40s. These are regular hangout spots for women, and awareness campaigns carried out here will help reach women in a more relatable and engaging way.

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Breast cancer has become one of the most serious public health concerns for women in India. While it was the fourth most frequent cancer in the 1990s, it is now one of the top cancers among Indian women, with a new case being diagnosed every four minutes. It accounts for nearly 13.5% of all new cancer cases and about 10% of cancer-related deaths nationally. This rapid increase is a result not only of biological risks but also of major lifestyle and social changes.Dr. Darshana Rane, Consultant Medical Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre, Borivali, in an interview with Health and Me, spoke about the increasing incidence of breast cancer in Indian women.Read more: Can Hormonal Imbalances Increase Endometrial Cancer Risk? Changing Reproductive and Hormonal PatternsDuring the last three decades, there has been a significant shift in the reproductive patterns of Indian women. There has been a trend of delayed marriage, delayed first pregnancy, fewer children, and shorter durations of breastfeeding. All of this has increased lifetime exposure to oestrogen, a known risk factor for breast cancer.Urbanisation and Lifestyle: Rapid urbanisation has resulted in a sedentary lifestyle, increased rates of obesity, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods and alcohol, and exposure to tobacco. These are well-recognised risk factors for breast cancer. The number of cases of breast cancer has been found to be higher in urban areas than in rural areas, and the highest number of cases is found in metropolitan cities. This rapid increase is a result not only of biological risks but also of major lifestyle and social changes. Changing Reproductive and Hormonal Patterns: During the last three decades, there has been a significant shift in the reproductive patterns of Indian women. There has been a trend of delayed marriage, delayed first pregnancy, fewer children, and shorter durations of breastfeeding. All of this has increased lifetime exposure to oestrogen, a known risk factor for breast cancer.Healthcare Gaps and Access Barriers: Healthcare infrastructure gaps also create a problem. Most of these centres do not have modern facilities for diagnosis and treatment, and the cost of treatment is also a burden on the family budget. Modern treatments such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy are not easily accessible.Read more: The Health Problems Women Normalise, But Gynaecologists Do NotEarly Detection and AwarenessCreating awareness among women about the need for regular breast self-examinations and screenings is the need of the hour, which will help identify potential issues at an early stage. Workplaces can help by organising awareness campaigns, health talks, and regular screening sessions, which will help in preventive care.Moreover, awareness campaigns carried out in regular hangout spots like shopping malls, markets, salons, and dance and fitness classes can help reach women who are in their late 40s. These are regular hangout spots for women, and awareness campaigns carried out here will help reach women in a more relatable and engaging way.