Hyderabad has reported the highest breast cancer incidence in the country, with 54 cases per one lakh women, according to the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Bengaluru follows closely with 46.7 cases per one lakh women.
As reported by TOI, the findings, published recently in the JAMA Open Network — a journal of the American Medical Association (AMA) — also reveal that three other south Indian cities, Chennai (45.4), Alappuzha (42.2), and Thiruvananthapuram (40.7), rank among the top six cities with high age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR) of breast cancer.
Understanding AAIR and Risk Factors
AAIR, or age-adjusted incidence rate, allows experts to compare disease occurrence across age groups and regions. Doctors attribute the high AAIR in Hyderabad and other cities primarily to urban lifestyles marked by obesity, sedentary routines, alcohol consumption, early menarche, late menopause, delayed childbirth, and lack of breastfeeding. These factors, they explain, significantly increase the risk of breast cancer.
The study also highlighted that 2.38 lakh individuals nationwide were affected by breast cancer in 2024, making it the most common cancer among Indian women.
Rising Cases in Hyderabad Hospitals
Both government and private hospitals in Hyderabad have reported a sharp increase in cases. Alarmingly, even women in the 20–30 age group are now presenting with breast cancer, a trend rarely seen earlier.
At MNJ Cancer Hospital, doctors treat 120–130 new cases each month, totaling nearly 1,600 cases annually. Private hospitals also report hundreds of cases monthly, while Osmania Hospital, Gandhi Hospital, and NIMS collectively handle dozens more.
“Earlier, we used to see 70 to 75 cases a month. Now the number has crossed 100,” said Dr. Mukta Srinivasulu, senior oncologist at MNJ Cancer Hospital. She added, “Cervical cancer cases are decreasing, but breast cancer cases are steadily rising. Most women come with lumps or significant emotional distress.”
Experts Link Cancer Rise to Lifestyle and Diabetes
Although it is difficult to pinpoint why Hyderabad tops the chart, oncologists believe sedentary lifestyles, dietary habits, and rising diabetes rates play a key role.
“This increase is mostly lifestyle-driven,” explained Dr. Nivalika Rajamani, senior oncologist at a private hospital. “Hyderabad ranks fourth in India for diabetes, which is linked to breast cancer. Combined with the easy availability of ultra-processed and adulterated food, this poses a serious health risk. In contrast, rural patients still present mainly with cervical cancer, while urban women are increasingly being diagnosed with breast cancer. I personally treat 10 to 12 such cases every month.”
Cancer Likely to Become a Notifiable Disease in Telangana
Currently, cancer is not a notifiable disease in Telangana, meaning hospitals are not required to report cases to a central database. Consequently, national cancer data largely relies on records from MNJ Cancer Hospital and NIMS.
However, a senior health department official confirmed that the government plans to soon designate cancer as a notifiable disease. “This move will help build more accurate databases, enable better follow-ups, and improve policymaking and cancer control across Telangana,” the official stated.