Alarming rise in Gynaecological Cancers among young Indian women

New Delhi: India's top robotic-gynaecological surgeons have raised alarms about a troubling increase in gynaecological cancers among younger women, particularly endometrial cancer, among women in their early 30s—a condition typically seen in post-menopausal women. To address this growing issue, they are exploring robotic-assisted surgeries as a potential solution to improve the management of these complex cases and enhance patient outcomes.

“We are witnessing a rise in gynaecological cancers among younger women in India, a trend that is both distressing and demanding of our attention. For instance, we are seeing more cases of endometrial cancer among women in their early 30s, a condition traditionally seen in post-menopausal women. Rapid urbanization and lifestyle changes in India, including sedentary habits, high-calorie diets, and increased stress levels, have significantly impacted women's health,” said Dr. Rama Joshi, an onco-robotic surgeon and organizing Chairperson of RoboGyn India.

To address this issue, Dr. Joshi suggested, “Any patient presenting with excessive or irregular bleeding must be evaluated to exclude uterine cancer. Regular check-ups and screenings play a critical role in the early detection and management of such gynaecological conditions. These proactive health measures allow for the identification of potential issues before they progress to more severe stages.”

In response to this growing challenge, the Association of Gynaecological Robotic Surgeons of India (AGRS) announced that they are exploring innovative advancements in robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) to improve the management of these complex cases and enhance patient outcomes. The AGRS is organizing an international conference, RoboGyn India 2024, which will bring together leading national and international experts in robotic-assisted surgery.

Dr Peter Lim, Medical Director of the Center of Hope Robotic & Minimally Invasive Pelvic Surgery and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, USA, stated, “Robotic-assisted surgery offers numerous advantages in the management of gynaecological cancers, even in obese patients. The technology provides unparalleled precision, allowing for meticulous dissection and better visualization of the surgical field. As we confront the rising incidence of these cancers, the ability to perform such precise and minimally invasive procedures becomes increasingly valuable.”

Dr Rooma Sinha, President of AGRS, added, “We are unable to provide advanced surgical technologies like RAS to women across the country due to various reasons. One major factor is the lack of a sufficient number of trained RAS gynecological surgeons in India. Through this association, we are working to close this gap by introducing RAS to more surgeons.”