An increasing number of women in the country are falling prey to breast and cervix cancers. As per the latest data tabled in Parliament on Friday, breast cancer cases have shot up from 87,693 in 2009 to 96,887 in 2012 while cervix cancer from 1,01,938 cases to alarmingly 1,07,690 cases during the same period.
Experts attribute the growth in incidence rates of the twin cancers to growing alcohol consumption, obesity, use of contraceptive pill and women having fewer children and later in life and most importantly, reluctance to go for early detection through screening mammography which can ensure early treatment.
last year, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) released an analysis of cancer cases among women in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore from 1982 to 2005, showing that until about 10 years ago, 10 per 100 000 women got breast cancer, compared with 23 per 100 000 now. In contrast, cervical cancer in India accounts for one fifth of the cervical cancer prevalent globally. It is estimated the number of new cervical cancer cases in India will increase to nearly 2,26,000 by 2025.
The latest government data reveals that the cancer of breast and cervix is on increase in all the states since 2009. Uttar Pradesh have reported the maximum number of breast cancer cases at 12324 followed by Tamil Nadu (12186) in 2012 while higher number of cervix cancer cases have been reported again from Uttar Pradesh at 18692 followed by Maharashtra (9892).
Dr. Vandana Gawdi, Senior Consultant, Gynaecologist, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital said, “Cervical cancer is both preventable and curable if detected at the HPV virus stage, Oncogenic HPV infection in Indian women varies in different locations.
“Studies have brought out certain demographic and other lifestyle factors on the development of abnormal cytology in Indian women. This justifies the need for screening women for cervical cancer including Oncogenic HPV testing (HPV infection among various Indian women).”
On how to prevent breast cancer, Dr. P.K. Julka, Senior Cancer Specialist, AIIMS said, women should minimize use of post-menopausal hormones, give birth to a child at a younger age, breastfeed for at least six months, avoid adult weight gain, limit alcohol consumption, avoid smoking and ensure regular physical activity, chemoprevention and go for early detection through screening mammography.