October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual initiative dedicated to spreading awareness about the grave threat of breast cancer. In Bengaluru, Karnataka, breast cancer presents a significant public health concern, impacting women disproportionately.

Dr. Niti Raizada, the Senior Director of Medical Oncology and Hemato Oncology at Fortis Hospitals in Bengaluru, underscores that breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer type in the region. According to GLOBOCAN data from 2020, it accounted for 27.9 percent of all cancer diagnoses among women. Dr. Raizada also notes that hospitals in Bengaluru record the highest number of breast cancer cases in the country, with a notable portion attributed to migrant patients.

Bengaluru's Breast Cancer Statistics

Dr. Niti Raizada goes on to elaborate that the GLOBOCAN data reveals a five-year prevalence rate of breast cancer in Bengaluru at 151.4 per 100,000 women, slightly surpassing the national average of 144.3 per 100,000 women. Nevertheless, there is encouraging news regarding the five-year survival rate for breast cancer in Bengaluru, standing at 75.2 percent, which exceeds the national average of 70.5 percent.

Breast cancer, the most prevalent cancer affecting women globally, is a significant issue in Bengaluru, India. Despite its high prevalence, the survival rate has improved due to increased awareness and proactive healthcare-seeking behavior among women. This vigilance ensures early medical intervention, contributing to positive outcomes. Breast cancer is a genetic disease, with an average patient age of 35-45 years. It's crucial to differentiate between genetic and hereditary factors in understanding the disease's impact on women.

Gene mutations are the root cause of all cancers, arising from various factors like lifestyle choices, viral exposures, aging, and menstruation. Hereditary breast cancer accounts for only 4-5 percent of all cancer cases, while most cases result from a complex interplay of individual-related and environmental factors, often encompassing both aspects, as explained by Krithika.

The varying susceptibility to breast cancer in individuals can be ascribed to their genetic composition, which is influenced by a multitude of factors. Krithika points out that specific lifestyle choices, like smoking, alcohol consumption, and a sedentary way of life, can elevate the risk of developing breast cancer. Despite the high incidence of breast cancer, there's encouraging news: survival rates have shown steady improvement in recent years, even for cases that have spread to other parts of the body.

Modern treatment approaches in breast cancer focus on genomics to tailor therapies and reduce unnecessary medication use, transforming the landscape due to an increased emphasis on tumor biology, as explained by Krithika.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in Bengaluru, accounting for 27.5% of all cancer cases in 2014, according to the Population-Based Cancer Registry data, as noted by Dr. Sandeep Nayak P, Director of Fortis Hospital's Department of Surgical Oncology and Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery.

Dr. Nayak also reveals concerning recent data: more than half of breast cancer cases in Bengaluru occur in women under 50 years of age. The average age of onset has shifted from the traditional range of 40-70 years to a younger span of 30-50 years. Notably, this onset age is younger than what is observed in Western countries.

Dr. Sandeep Nayak P suggests that a variety of factors, including shifts in lifestyle, dietary habits, and heightened awareness, might have contributed to this rise in breast cancer cases.

The success in treating breast cancer can be attributed to the adoption of a multimodality treatment approach. This approach combines various treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapy to comprehensively manage the disease, as explained by Nayak.

Dr. Poonam Patil, a Consultant in Medical Oncology at Manipal Hospitals Old Airport Road in Bengaluru, highlights a concerning global trend in cancer statistics. Breast cancer has now become the most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide, surpassing even lung cancer, with a staggering 2.3 million new cases. These numbers underscore the immense challenges that lie ahead in the fight against breast cancer.

This paints a picture of urgency within our nation's healthcare system. The statistics from Karnataka shed a spotlight on the prevalence of breast cancer, comprising a significant 27.9 percent of cancer cases in females. The survival rates serve as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead.

Early detection is seen as a cost-effective approach to combat the disease in India, especially among women aged 40 and above. The statistics represent lives, aspirations, and battles that can be won, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in this crucial area.