Number of new breast cancer cases in women to double by 2030 - are we prepared?

Number of new breast cancer cases in women is estimated to nearly double in the country by 2030, the Rajya Sabha was told recently. The estimated number of new breast cancer (incidence) cases in women would be about 1,84,000 by 2030 as compared to 97,328 cases in 2014, Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda said in Rajya Sabha.

He said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has reported that as per a study, breast cancer showed a significant increase in rate over time in the age group of 35-44 in Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai (as per population based cancer registries) and in Delhi 45-54 age group.

Besides, he said the age group of 0-24 in Mumbai showed an increase in rate over time. Nadda said the data regarding ignoring of warning signs of breast cancer by young women is not available. The Minister, however, said as per a published study, there is low cancer literacy of breast cancer risk factors among Indian women, irrespective of their socio-economic and educational background.

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