The incidence of breast cancer in India is rising at an alarming rate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India is now the second most affected country in the world by breast cancer, after China. In 2020, an estimated 1.3 lakh women in India were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 70,000 died from the disease. The incidence rate is expected to increase to 2.2 million new cases by 2040.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the rising incidence of breast cancer in India, including:

• Women who have family history of breast cancer: Women who have a family history of breast cancer are at an increased risk of developing the disease themselves. The risk is highest for women who have a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer. Breast cancers are due to inherited genetic mutations. These mutations can be passed down from parent to child, and they can increase the risk of breast cancer by a significant amount.
• Obesity: Obesity increases the risk of breast cancer.
• Women who never breast fed: Women who never breastfed are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. The risk is about 20% higher than women who have breastfed.
• Women who never had child: Women who have never had children tend to have higher levels of circulating estrogen than women who have had children. The more menstrual cycles a woman has, the higher her risk of breast cancer. This is because each menstrual cycle exposes the breast tissue to estrogen and progesterone, which are hormones that can promote the growth of cancer cells.
• Women working late hours: Women who worked night shifts had a 30% higher risk of breast cancer than women who worked day shifts.
• Prolonged use of contractive pills: There is a slightly increased risk of breast cancer in women who use oral contraceptives (OCs) for prolonged periods of time.
• The changing diet: The Indian diet is becoming more Westernized, with an increased intake of processed foods and red meat. These foods are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which are known risk factors for breast cancer.
• The growing population: The Indian population is growing rapidly, and with it the number of women who are at risk of developing breast cancer.
• The lack of awareness about breast cancer: Many women in India are not aware of the symptoms of breast cancer, or they do not seek medical attention until the disease is in advanced stages.

The rising incidence of breast cancer in India is a major public health concern. There is an urgent need to raise awareness about the disease and to improve access to early detection and treatment services.

Here are some tips for reducing your risk of breast cancer:

• Eat a healthy diet: Choose plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit your intake of processed foods, red meat, and saturated fat.
• Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
• Maintain a healthy weight: If you are overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce your risk of breast cancer.
• Don’t smoke: Smoking increases your risk of breast cancer, as well as many other types of cancer.
• Limit alcohol intake: Drinking too much alcohol increases your risk of breast cancer.
• Get regular mammograms: Starting at age 45, women should get a mammogram every year.
• Be aware of the symptoms of breast cancer: The most common symptoms of breast cancer are a lump in the breast, changes in the size, shape, or texture of the breast, dimpling of the skin, nipple discharge, and changes in the skin of the nipple or areola. If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away.