Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer type among women and the second most common cancer type overall. (File Photo)At 30, Leena (name changed) was excited for the weekend ahead — her best friend’s wedding was just around the corner and she did not think much about the small knot-like swelling in her left breast. With her company’s annual health check-up scheduled for the following week, she decided to wait. The routine mammogram, however, flagged a concern, and while Leena was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, she acted promptly and sought advice from an onco-breast surgeon.Early screening and diagnosis have become even more pertinent as a new study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has projected a 170 per cent increase in the number of new cases and a 200 per cent rise in deaths from breast cancer in India by 2050. “This means that the burden will almost triple in the next 30 years,” says Dr Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the Cancer Surveillance branch at IARC.“Unfortunately we do not have long-term data for mortality in India to assess the trends in deaths linked to breast cancer. However we know that improving awareness of breast cancer and access to diagnostic services as well as comprehensive breast cancer management are effective strategies to reduce mortality from the disease,” she adds.Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer type among women and the second most common cancer type overall. Published in Nature Medicine, the new analysis shows that altogether 192,020 cases were diagnosed and 98,337 deaths recorded in India in 2022. An estimated 2.3 million new breast cancer cases were recorded and 670,000 breast cancer-related deaths occurred worldwide in 2022 as per the report.Early diagnosis, improved access to treatment crucial“Early diagnosis significantly increases the chances of preserving the breast from cancer and a screening should be conducted at least once every two or three years,” says Dr C B Koppiker, top breast onco-surgeon of Orchids Breast Health Centre and Prashanti Cancer Care Mission, Pune.Awareness continues to be a concern despite several campaigns, according to Dr C S Pramesh Director, Tata Memorial Hospital, and Convener, National Cancer Grid. “It is vital to ensure the right treatment at the right time for better survival prospects,” he adds.Most experts agree that low breast cancer awareness in India is because of a mix of factors despite an aggressive push to campaigns. These include limited access to healthcare, low literacy levels, social stigma around body issues, societal norms that discourage women from prioritising their health and most importantly the cost of screening, especially in lower socio-economic groups.Story continues below this adThe report itself highlights the urgent need for high-quality cancer data and accurate records of the number of new diagnoses and outcomes in countries with low and medium human development index (HDI).The global mapGlobally, most breast cancer cases and deaths occur in people aged 50 years and older, who account for 71 per cent of new cases and 79 per cent of deaths. The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer was highest in France (1 in 9) and Northern America (1 in 10), whereas the lifetime risk of dying from breast cancer was highest in Fiji (1 in 24) and Africa (1 in 47). In contrast, the lifetime risk of dying from breast cancer was 1 in 59 in France and 1 in 77 in Northern America.Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:breast cancer