Thiruvananthapuram declared India's breast cancer capital; 50% of cases in under-50s

Breast cancer can be detected at an early stage and treated.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the southern Indian state of Kerala, has been named as the country's breast cancer capital as the city witnessed cases at a record high of 40 per lakh of population.

The chilling revelation was made during the Kerala Chapter of Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA) Conference here last week.

S Pradeep, President of the Thiruvananthapuram chapter of the IRIA, said the figures do look alarming as the national average of incidence of breast cancer is 20 per lakh population, while the Kerala average was 14, but in the state capital it it stood at 40.

Reports have shown breast cancer as the most common form of cancer among Indian women, surpassing cervical cancer as the leading cause of death of all cancer-related deaths.

It noted that 50 per cent of breast cancer is occurring in the age group of under 50 years. Nine lakh women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year and it is the second most common malignancy next to cervical cancer.

"A few reasons could be attributed for this and one is that these figures are taken from the registry of the Regional Cancer Centre in the capital city," said Pradeep.

Manoj T Pillai, IRIA's State Secretary, said breast cancer was the most common malignancy affecting one million women worldwide and it constitutes about 21 per cent of 519,000 yearly deaths.

"Breast cancer can be detected at an early stage and treated. Radiology has a great role to play but the common people are still ignorant about it.

"We need more awareness and upgradation of public information system to overcome the prevailing situation," said Pillai.

The appropriate age for a mammogram is usually over 40 years but it should be done as a diagnostic tool for those who have symptoms, irrespective of the age.

"If annual checkups are done, detection can be made early and even in stage 2 of breast cancer, it can be treated. One reason why in the past detection took place late was because of a social stigma as many do not wish to get a check-up, but that has changed in the cities. The need of the hour is that awareness should be spread for timely check-ups," added Pradeep.

"It was just through a casual self-examination by my wife she felt a lump and the same day she underwent a mammogram and in a week's time it was removed. I have now asked my sisters and told all my friends to see that their wives too undergo a check-up," the husband of a 4o-year-old patient whose left breast was removed last month told IANS.

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), breast cancer is the top cancer in women both in the developed and the developing world.

The incidence of breast cancer is increasing in the developing world due to increase life expectancy, increase urbanization and adoption of western lifestyles.

While there is no specific way to prevent breast cancer, adopting a healthier lifestyle habits such as – eating a healthy diet, staying physically active, not smoking and limiting alcohol intake can reduce your risk.

(With IANS inputs)