By Amber Roman
21 Oct 2024, 17:46 PM EDT
The rise of breast cancer in young women in India poses an urgent public health challenge. Although traditionally associated with older women, breast cancer has shown a notable increase in the population under 50 years of age during the last three decades.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), breast cancer accounts for 28.2% of cancers affecting women in the country. This figure places breast cancer as the most common form of cancer among women, not just in India but globally.
Public figures such as Sonali Bendre, Tahira Kashyap and Mahima Chaudhry have shared their experiences of being diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50. These celebrities have faced and overcome the disease, thanks to advances in available treatments, serving as an example for many other people in their fight against this disease.
Dr Ashish Gupta, leader of the Mukt Bharat Cancer Campaign in India and head of Medical Oncology at the Unique Hospital Cancer Centre, said cancer is no longer a disease exclusive to older people. Gupta highlighted that it is increasingly common to see breast cancer diagnoses among women under 50 years of age. This trend is due to several factors, including genetic predisposition and modern lifestyle changes, involving poor diet, exposure to ultra-processed foods, physical inactivity, and increasing environmental pollution.
According to a recent study by the Cancer Mukt Bharat Foundation, approximately 20% of cancer cases in young people under 40 years of age in India are breast cancer. Additionally, 15% of diagnoses in younger adults are related to this disease. Among the most common risk factors are genetic mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which predispose to greater vulnerability to breast cancer. Added to this are other factors such as obesity, excessive consumption of sugar and processed foods, as well as increased blood glucose levels and insulin resistance.
Dr. Gupta stressed that early detection is key to improving the survival rate of breast cancer patients. According to him, screening procedures should be more accessible to women across the country. Awareness campaigns and low-cost early detection programs are essential to address the growing number of cases in India. In addition, he emphasized that early detection, combined with timely treatment, can make a significant difference in patients’ life expectancy.
Dr Vineet Nakra, Radiation Oncologist at Max Hospital, New Delhi and Director of Lenus Institute of Oncology, also joined this call to action. Nakra explained that the increase in breast cancer cases in young women is linked to changes in lifestyle, such as late motherhood and the decrease in the practice of breastfeeding. In addition, urbanization and less healthy diets have contributed to the increase in cases in the young population.
One of the recent advances in breast cancer treatment focuses on the preservation of breast tissue. With greater attention to cosmetic aspects, especially among young women, radiation therapy has gained importance as a treatment that, in addition to attacking cancer, seeks to preserve the appearance of the breast. Radiation therapy is usually given after surgery to kill any residual cancer cells and reduce the chance of recurrence.
Comprehensive breast cancer treatment includes different approaches such as surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy. Dr. Nakra highlighted that the type of treatment depends on the stage of the cancer and the specific type of disease. Advances in these areas have allowed many patients to successfully overcome the disease. Both Gupta and Nakra emphasize that the fight against breast cancer must focus on prevention and early detection. It is essential that women receive appropriate education about risk factors and have access to regular screening procedures to identify cancer in its early stages. Thanks to advances in treatments, the diagnosis of breast cancer should no longer be seen as a definitive sentence, but as an opportunity to fight and win.
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