THE BREAST CANCER CRISIS IN INDIA AND THE NEED FOR AI INTEGRATION IN EARLY DETECTION

A holistic approach—strengthening grassroots healthcare, raising awareness, and integrating AI screening—can be transformative in reducing India’s breast cancer burden, enhancing the overall quality of cancer care and saving countless lives.

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Cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming approximately 9.6 million lives annually—one in every six deaths—according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Among various types, breast cancer is uniquely linked to gender, primarily affecting women. According to the WHO, nearly half of diagnosed women have no major risk factors beyond being female and over 40, while others face risks such as obesity, alcohol consumption, genetics, and reproductive history.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cause of cancer-related death among women on a global scale as per the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRFI). The WHO estimates that 2.3 million cases were diagnosed in 2022, leading to approximately 6,70,000 deaths. The Global Breast Cancer Initiative launched by the WHO in March 2021,

aims to reduce global mortality by 2.5% annually, targeting a reduction of 25% in global breast cancer death rates by 2030 and 40% by 2040. Achieving these goals requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach that prioritises early detection, timely diagnosis, and effective disease management. Increased awareness, improved access to healthcare, and advancements in screening and treatment are crucial in the fight against breast cancer.

As breast cancer incidence rises, doctors raise importance of early detection, need for women to be breast aware

India’s breast cancer burden

Breast cancer accounts for 23.76% of all cancer diagnoses globally.

India is witnessing a worrying surge in breast cancer cases, ranking third globally after China and the United States in absolute numbers. As per the Global Cancer Observatory, India had the highest num-