Breast Cancer Cases Rising In India: Hyderabad, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai Worst Affected - Check ICMR List

Cancer Cases In India: The study presented by the ICMR highlights that 2.39 lakh individuals in India were affected by breast cancer in 2024, making it the most common cancer among women.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers amongst women in India. It occurs when some breast cells begin to grow abnormally. Experts suggest that these cells divide more rapidly than any healthy cells and continue to gather, forming a lump or mass. As per the latest findings, the breast cancer case rate in Hyderabad is the highest in India, with 54 in every one lakh women suffering from the ailment.

Cancer Cases Rise In India: Chennai, Alappuzha, And Thiruvananthapuram Stand In The Top 6

The study, which is now published in the JAMA Open Network, a journal of the American Medical Association (AMA), revealed that the City of Pearl is closely followed by Bengaluru, where the number stands at 46.7 per one lakh.

Researchers from the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also highlight three other Indian cities in the study, including Chennai, Alappuzha, and Thiruvananthapuram, in the top six with Age-Adjusted Incident Rate (AAIR) of breast cancer touching 45.4, 42.2, and 40.7, respectively.

What Is AAIR?

Age-Adjusted Incident Rate (AAIR) is a measure used to compare disease in certain age groups and regions. It helps experts to understand how common a disease such as cancer, heart attack, and diabetes is within a population.

Researchers attributed the high AAIR, both in Hyderabad and other Indian cities, primarily to an urban lifestyle, which leads to obesity, sedentary routines, high alcohol intake, early menstruation, late menopause, late childbirth, and a lack of breastfeeding. All of these points are contributing factors to the increased risk of breast cancer.

The study presented by the ICMR highlights that 2.39 lakh individuals in India were affected by breast cancer in 2024, making it the most common cancer among women.

Other Cancers Prevalent In India

According to the study, a part of breast cancer, cervical and ovarian cancers have consistently shown to rank among the most common three cancers in Indian women.

"In India, breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers consistently ranked among the top 3 most common cancers in women, with disparities observed in survival rates for breast and cervical cancers. The increasing incidence of breast cancer and decreasing incidence of cervical cancer were more associated with generational shifts in risk factors than period effects," the study stated.

"The significant variation in area-wise cancer incidence rates and cancer types in India highlights the need for tailored strategies to enhance cancer prevention and control efforts. These insights may guide future studies on environmental and lifestyle risk factors in Indian populations. This heterogeneity underscores the importance of strengthening infrastructure and human resources both nationally and at the state level."

To take proactive action against the increased risk of cancer in India, the researchers suggest that effective cancer control in India requires coordinated efforts, focusing on public awareness, prevention, and early detection. It stated, "Awareness campaigns help reduce stigma and encourage timely health-seeking behaviour. Beyond prevention, upgrading existing cancer care facilities and expanding services in high-incidence regions is vital to ensure equitable access to quality and affordable care."

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