Breast cancer currently accounts for 30 per cent of all cancers among women in India, and experts predict the number of cases could rise to around two lakh per year by 2030. The warning came during a conference on breast cancer management organized by the Women’s Cancer Initiative (WCI) and Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) in Mumbai on Saturday.
One in 20 Indian Women at Risk
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. One in 20 women in India—about 4 per cent—faces the risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime,” said Dr. Shalaka Joshi, Breast Cancer Surgeon at Tata Memorial Hospital. She added, “By 2030, India is likely to diagnose nearly two lakh new cases every year.”
Lifestyle and Dietary Changes Driving the Surge
Dr. Joshi attributed the rising incidence to rapid urbanisation, westernisation of lifestyle, and changes in reproductive behaviour and dietary habits. “Today, people consume more junk food, fatty foods, and processed or frozen meals, which was not the case earlier. These factors, along with lack of exercise, significantly increase breast cancer risk,” she explained.
She further noted, “Lack of physical activity can nearly double the risk of breast cancer. Additionally, obesity plays a major role—not just in breast cancer but also in other lifestyle-related conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.”
Genetic Factors Account for 10 Per Cent of Cases
Dr. Prabhat Bhargava, Medical Oncologist at Tata Memorial Centre, highlighted that around 10 per cent of breast cancers are genetic and can be inherited within families. “Having a close relative with breast or ovarian cancer increases one’s risk of developing breast cancer, especially after the age of 50,” he said.
Younger Age of Onset in India
Dr. Bhargava pointed out that, globally, the average age for breast cancer diagnosis is between 50 and 60 years. However, India has a higher proportion of young breast cancer patients, which underlines the need for more genetic testing laboratories. “Once a woman tests positive for harmful genetic mutations, she can take preventive measures to reduce the risk of developing second cancers in the breast or other organs,” he added.
Preventive and Screening Measures
He explained that annual breast MRI screenings can help detect cancer early in women carrying such mutations. In high-risk cases, preventive breast removal with reconstruction, with or without ovary removal, can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing breast or ovarian cancers in the future.
Genetic Testing Improves Treatment Outcomes
Dr. Bhargava also noted that breast cancer patients with genetic mutations may benefit from specific chemotherapy drugs, which can be incorporated into their treatment regimen. “These targeted therapies have shown to improve survival rates and overall treatment outcomes,” he said.
Call for Awareness and Early Detection
As reported by The Week, experts at the conference stressed that public awareness, early diagnosis, and lifestyle modifications remain the cornerstones of breast cancer prevention and control. They urged women to adopt regular exercise, maintain a healthy diet, undergo timely screenings, and seek genetic counseling if they have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.