Bengaluru is facing a concerning surge in cancer cases among women, according to recent reports, including an analysis by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). This increase highlights a growing public health challenge in the city and across India.

Key Findings and Statistics

• Rising Incidence: The ICMR-National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) study indicates that cancer among women in Bengaluru is among the highest in India. The city ranks among the top three for breast cancer incidence.
• Breast Cancer Predominance: Breast cancer is now the leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality among women in India, accounting for 13.5% of new cancer cases and 10.6% of all cancer-related deaths. In cities like Bengaluru, breast cancer constitutes a significant proportion of all female cancers, ranging from 25% to 32%.
• Younger Women Affected: Hospitals in Bengaluru have reported a worrying rise in breast cancer cases among women aged 20-40, with some seeing a 100% increase in the last five years. Doctors are observing more women in their early to late 30s being diagnosed with breast cancer, a trend that was previously rare.
• National Scenario: India reported an estimated 15.62 lakh (1.56 million) cancer cases in 2024, with a mortality figure of over 8.74 lakh (0.874 million). This is an increase from 14.6 lakh cases in 2022. The Global Cancer Observatory projects that the number of new cancer cases in India could rise to approximately 25 lakh (2.5 million) annually by 2045.
• Regional Disparities: While breast cancer is more common in urban centers like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, other regions face different challenges. For instance, esophageal and stomach cancers are more prevalent in Northeast India.

Risk Factors and Contributing Factors

• Lifestyle Changes: Lifestyle factors such as shared dietary habits and inactivity within families play a significant role in cancer risk. Changes like delayed childbirth, reduced breastfeeding, sedentary habits, obesity, and poor diet are contributing to the rise in breast cancer cases among younger women.
• Hormonal Factors: Hormonal therapy for infertility and postmenopausal treatments are also increasing breast cancer risks.
• Genetic Predisposition: While about 10% of breast cancers are genetic, lifestyle factors have a more significant impact.
• Other Risk Factors: Early menarche, late menopause, hormonal supplementation after menopause, obesity, and tobacco and alcohol use are other identified risk factors. A higher BMI, influenced by poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle, is linked to hyper-estrogenic states, increasing the risk of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.

Challenges and Concerns

• Late-Stage Diagnosis: A significant concern is that most diagnoses occur when patients present with symptoms, meaning cancers are often caught at later stages. Stage one breast cancer is rare, with stages two, three, and even four being more common.
• Lack of Central Registry: Quantifying the rise in absolute numbers within Bengaluru and the rest of Karnataka is difficult due to the lack of a central registry that tracks each screening, testing, and positive case of cancer.
• Mortality Rates: India ranks third highest in cancer incidence globally, after the US and China, and second in mortality after China. Cancer mortality rates are expected to rise significantly between 2022 and 2050.

Prevention, Early Detection, and Strategies

• Early Detection: Early detection can significantly improve outcomes for breast and cervical cancers. Regular self-examination, awareness of changes, and timely medical consultation can help catch cancers in their early stages.
• Screening: Regular screening, including Pap smears for cervical cancer and mammograms for breast cancer, is crucial. The Indian Cancer Society is organizing free cancer screening camps to promote early detection.
• HPV Vaccination: HPV vaccination protects against the majority of cervical cancer cases.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a balanced diet, limiting tobacco and alcohol use, and engaging in regular exercise can reduce cancer risk.
• Awareness and Education: There is an urgent need for awareness, prevention, and timely intervention to combat the growing cancer burden in India. Public education and improved healthcare infrastructure are key to reducing cancer mortality and ensuring healthier outcomes for women.
• Targeted Strategies: The ICMR study highlights the need for targeted strategies to improve prevention, early detection, and care across India. Tailored prevention, screening, and treatment strategies are essential due to the wide disparities in the prevalence of different cancer types across regions and genders.

The rising cancer incidence among women in Bengaluru, as highlighted by the ICMR report, calls for immediate attention and action. By focusing on early detection, promoting healthy lifestyles, and implementing targeted prevention strategies, it is possible to mitigate the growing burden of cancer and improve outcomes for women in the region and across India.