Posted on 27th March, 2023 at 6:57:39 AM
According to the GLOBOCON 2020 study, the prevalence of cancer affecting Indian women in decreasing order is Breast Carcinoma, Carcinoma of the Cervix and Uterus, Carcinoma Ovary, Carcinoma Lip, oral cavity, and Carcinoma of the Colorectum.
Do Indian women have the same risk of cancer when compared to the rest of the world?
According to Lancet Oncology, the peak age of the onset of breast and ovarian cancer in India is at 45-50 years in India. This is a decade younger than the peak age-which is 60 years–in high-income countries. It is estimated that at least one woman dies of cervical cancer every 8 minutes in India, while for every 2 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, one woman dies of it in India
Why is it so?
Sadly due to a lack of awareness near about 75% of women presents at an advanced stage which limits the treatment modalities.
What is the incidence of Breast Cancer in India and how is it different from the rest of the world?
It is a difficult question. Firstly it is estimated that 1 out of 22 Indian women are estimated to develop Carcinoma breast in their lifetime. Indian population has a few peculiarities
The proportional prevalence in younger age groups in India is higher than the global average.
A lot of patients are being diagnosed in their late 20s or early 30s contrary to global trends
Almost 50% of breast cancer patients first visit the doctor when they are in stage 3 and 15-20% of patients visit when they are in stage 4.
Nearly 48% are diagnosed in the premenopausal age, which implies a more aggressive disease and negative effect on the overall prognosis and disease burden.
Is there a regional divide in cancer in Indian women?
Sadly yes recent studies show an increase in the trend of Cervical cancer in rural women against a rise in the number of Breast Cancer patients in Urban India.
Why is it so?
Cervical Cancer: Women in Rural India is poor menstrual hygiene only 12 percent of women in India use sanitary pads, thanks to the taboo surrounding menstruation and thereby lack accessibility to adequate sanitation. Unhygienic practices can lead to fungal infections, Reproductive Tract Infections, and Urinary Tract Infections, thereby causing cervical cancer
Breast Cancer: As it is a hormonal dependant disease, practices which increase the estrogen levels or lead to long levels of unopposed estrogen are responsible for example high-fat diet, obesity, late marriage, fewer children, and inadequate breastfeeding. This is more prevalent in Urban women.
Do women suffer from head and neck cancer?
Yes according to GLOBOCON 2018 study, head, and neck cancer contribute to 10% of all new cancer affecting Indian women.
Which cancers in women are preventable?
Cervical cancer: Avoiding smoking, maintaining menstrual hygiene, HPV vaccine, practicing monogamy
Breast Cancer: avoid westernization of diet, breastfeeding, shunning alcohol and smoking, exercise
Head and neck cancer: Maintaining oral hygiene, and avoiding tobacco in any form.
