Incidence of breast cancer on rise at thirty years of age

Hyderabad: Apollo Cancer Institutes, Hyderabad, hosted an awareness campaign against breast cancer, the most dreaded cancer afflicting women in India, as part of the International Breast Cancer Awareness month – October 2022. Chief Guest Priyamani launched the breast cancer screening initiative and gave necessary impetus for the mass awareness about the disease, impacting more and more women in urban India.

Dr P Vijay Anand Reddy, Director, Apollo Cancer Institutes; Dr Ramu Damuluri, Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Institutes; Dr K Shilpa Reddy, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Institutes and the rest of the oncology team of Apollo Cancer Institutes, were present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Priyamani said, “Building awareness about breast cancer or any cancer is critical, early detection of cancer is very important. Don’t take your health lightly, in case you find any variations in your body and health go to your nearest doctor and get checked. Once in a year get a whole body check-up done and help nip any disease in bud stage. Please don’t be afraid, you are in safe hands. Hats off to all the warriors who survived cancer and you are an inspiration to all of us.”

“The changing lifestyles, especially of urban women is leading to alarming rise in the incidence of breast cancer in India, with one in every eight women being impacted. The most distressing part is the drastic shift, with the disease manifesting at a much younger age of 30 years, instead of the earlier 50 years and above”, said Dr Reddy.

According to the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research, Registry Programme report, in 2020, more than two lakh women were estimated to have been diagnosed with breast cancer and it reported an estimated 76,000 deaths, in India. The Report estimates the rise in incidence to more than 2.3 lakh cases by 2025.

Early detection is critical in treating breast cancer. The disease can be identified by performing breast self-examination every month immediately a week after the menses ceases, from the age of 30 years. A Clinical breast examination once in a year or three years by an oncologist or a physician and screening with a mammogram from the age of 40 years, helps in early detection, the statement said.

The treatment modalities for breast cancer, including risk assessment, prevention, surgery, radiation and other treatments, have advanced significantly in the recent years. This is enhancing survival, especially among cases of early detection.

“Prevention and early detection are the corner stones to lead a quality life and survive from breast cancer. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, making nutritious food, regular exercise and preventive medical checks after a certain age as part of our life keeps breast cancer at bay” said Dr Reddy.