Actress Hina Khan, 36, recently revealed that she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, the most common type of cancer in India and worldwide.
advertisementOver a decade back, the average age for diagnosing Stage 3 breast cancer was roughly 50 to 64 years.
"It has been seen that Indian breast cancer is different from Western breast cancer.
(Photo: Getty Images)advertisementChanges like reduced breastfeeding, not having children, obesity, smoking and alcohol, have a contribution in causing breast cancer.
BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS IN INDIAAs the incidence of breast cancer is increasing in Indian women, the advances in its diagnosis and treatment have also taken a giant leap in the last few decades.
Actress Hina Khan, 36, recently revealed that she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, the most common type of cancer in India and worldwide.
While the actress is undergoing treatment and sharing her progress report on social media regularly, it brings up the question of how breast cancer, once known to be a disease of the old, is becoming so prevalent among younger women.
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Over a decade back, the average age for diagnosing Stage 3 breast cancer was roughly 50 to 64 years. But recently, people in their 20s and 30s are highly prone to it.
Could it be that early cancer diagnosis results in catching the disease before it reaches the advanced stage? Maybe.
Technological innovations and better accessibility have provided doctors with the tools to detect cancer quickly, and spreading awareness about early diagnosis.
While awareness may help experts to spot the disease early, but that is just one side of the coin.
There are several perspectives on why breast cancer is becoming highly prevalent among younger women.
WHY IS BREAST CANCER SO PREVALENT IN INDIA?
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the country's apex medical research body, revealed in a study that women diagnosed with breast cancer in India have a five-year survival rate of 66.4%.
This rate indicates the percentage of people who are alive five years after diagnosis, excluding those who pass away from other causes. Technological innovations and better accessibility have provided doctors with the tools to detect cancer quickly, and spreading awareness about early diagnosis. (Photo: Generative AI by Kunjika Nagpal)
The study found that patients diagnosed early had a 4.4 times better chance of living for five years compared to those diagnosed with advanced cancer.
Although there's been improvement, the survival rate in India is lower than in developed countries like the United States (90.2%). Delayed diagnosis and limited access to treatment facilities may contribute to this difference.
Since breast cancer constitutes 25% of all female cancers, the study highlighted that Indian women lose more disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
"It has been seen that Indian breast cancer is different from Western breast cancer. In the West, the peak age at which breast cancer occurs is in the early 50s whereas in India, the peak occurs a decade earlier," observed Dr Rohan Khandelwal, lead consultant and head of the Breast Centre at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.
According to Dr Prateek Varshney, Senior Director and Unit Head, Surgical Oncology, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, breast cancer has become the disease of the young, witnessed more in urban cities. However, even that is relative.
"The reason for this is the type of cancer which we get in India is more aggressive. The genetic build-up is more aggressive in most patients, not everyone. Also, in the last decade, there have been a lot of lifestyle changes which have led to increased rise in the risks," said Dr Varshney.
A study by the Washington University School of Medicine found that the biological age of women, which refers to the condition of a person's body and physiological processes, is ageing faster in the coming years. Breast cancer has become the disease of the young, witnessed more in urban cities. (Photo: Getty Images)
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The study revealed an association between accelerated ageing and the risk of early-onset solid tumours.
Besides this, screening efforts targeting younger people showing signs of accelerated biological age could aid in the early detection of cancers.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF BREAST CANCER?
Doctors suggest that the rise in breast cancer in India is a multi-factorial problem. The factors can be modifiable and non-modifiable.
"Having no children or having children at a later age is one of the other risk factors," said Dr Pritam Kataria, Consultant, Medical Oncology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital.
Early menarche and late menopause are among the non-modifiable risk factors.
The expert said that managing diet, exercising, reducing stress, and avoiding smoking and alcohol, which are lifestyle-related factors, can lower the incidence of breast cancer.
"Breast cancer is a combination of multiple things. There are certain things we cannot quantify. We cannot quantify pollution, stress and do they have a role in breast cancer development," explained Dr Khandelwal. Early menarche and late menopause are among the non-modifiable risk factors of breast cancer. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Changes like reduced breastfeeding, not having children, obesity, smoking and alcohol, have a contribution in causing breast cancer.
Reduced breastfeeding, in particular, is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer due to less hormonal protection, fewer beneficial changes in breast tissue, and reduced shedding of potentially damaged cells.
A meta-analysis published in The Lancet found that for every 12 months of breastfeeding, the risk of breast cancer decreased by 4.3%.
While breastfeeding lowers the levels of certain hormones in the mother’s body, such as estrogen, by reducing the duration and frequency of breastfeeding, the protective hormonal changes do not occur as extensively.
BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS IN INDIA
As the incidence of breast cancer is increasing in Indian women, the advances in its diagnosis and treatment have also taken a giant leap in the last few decades.
"Indian women are becoming more aware of the symptoms of this cancer leading to early self-detection. Screening mammography and ultrasound are more easily available nowadays making the diagnosis easy even in women without obvious symptoms of a lump in the breast," said Dr Varshney. As the incidence of breast cancer is increasing in Indian women, the advances in its diagnosis and treatment have also taken a giant leap in the last few decades. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Moreover, the treatment protocols have developed a lot leading to better cosmesis outcomes in terms of breast conservation.
"This has led to a sense of confidence among our general population leading to more acceptance for the treatment," the expert added.
Therefore, doctors are suggesting genetic testing, self-examination, mammography and a simple ultrasound as tools to help women diagnose the disease quickly and undergo timely treatment.
While advancements in technology and increased awareness have improved early diagnosis and treatment outcomes, challenges remain.
By fostering a comprehensive approach, we can work towards reducing the burden of breast cancer and improving survival rates for all women.
Published By: Daphne Clarance Published On: Jul 8, 2024
