World Cancer Day - February 4: All you need to know about Breast Cancer

The most common cancer amongst women, breast cancer covers 25% of all cancer burden, globally as well as in India. With alarming rise in its incidence in the country, predominantly in urban India, estimates suggest every four minutes an Indian woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and every 13 mins a woman dies due to the condition. According to a recent report by WHO and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), India saw 162,468 women newly detected with breast cancer and 87,090 losing their lives to the disease in 2018.

- Dr. CB Koppiker

While genetic predisposition, sedentary lifestyle, longer working hours, late pregnancy, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, stress and obesity are some of the risk factors associated with breast cancer. Medical experts believe delayed diagnosis and lack of awareness are major reasons for its high mortality rates. Most women do not know enough about breast cancer to get themselves diagnosed early.

Myths related to the Breast cancer and its management.

Myth 1: Breast cancer usually happens in older women and those with family history

It is true that elderly women may be at a higher risk for developing breast cancer, but it can occur in younger population as well. We have been witnessing a surge in breast cancer cases amongst women in the age group of 25-49 years in India. While genetic predisposition is a prominent risk factor, it is not the only one. Lifestyle and environment factors too could be at play. Hence, it is important for women for all ages to pay attention to their breasts and regularly examine them. Timely diagnosis and treatment at early stages of breast cancer can go a long way in improving the survival rates.