Tackling early detection and societal barriers for improved survival rates, ET HealthWorld


New Delhi: Breast cancer continues to be a significant health concern in India, with the WHO’s Global Cancer Report (2022) estimating approximately 200,000 new cases annually, accounting for 14 per cent of the country’s total cancer burden. While India’s breast cancer incidence rate (37 cases per 100,000 population) is lower than in high-income countries (90–100 cases per 100,000 population), the mortality rate is significantly higher.

This disparity is largely due to late-stage detection, with nearly 60% of cases diagnosed at stages 3 or 4, negatively affecting treatment outcomes and survival rates. Key risk factors include changing lifestyles, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and delayed childbirth.

One of the biggest challenges in breast cancer management is early detection, especially in rural and low-resource settings. A thorough clinical breast examination (CBE) by a trained healthcare worker, such as a nurse, is sufficient to detect breast cancer at early stages. This low-cost intervention requires no equipment and can be widely implemented.

Despite this, less than 2 per cent of Indian women undergo breast cancer screening, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS).

Dr. Anita Gadgil, Senior Research Fellow, Program for Global Surgery and Trauma, The George Institute for Global Health, India, highlighted societal stigma as a key barrier across all socio-economic strata, including among grassroots healthcare workers.

“Many healthcare workers hesitate to ask about breast health, even though they routinely screen for hypertension and diabetes. Strengthening trust in primary health centers (PHCs) is crucial. If women perceive PHCs as lacking diagnostic capabilities and assume they will need to visit larger hospitals anyway, they are less likely to seek care—resulting in delayed diagnosis. Fear also causes women to ignore or hide lumps until the cancer becomes advanced.”


Preventive measures, particularly lifestyle modifications, are critical in reducing breast cancer risk. Integrating traditional health practices, such as yoga, with modern medical interventions can help promote healthier lifestyles, particularly in rural areas with limited access to tertiary cancer care centers.

Mastectomy, a common breast cancer treatment, can be effectively performed at district hospitals if surgeons receive proper training. Currently, such surgeries are primarily conducted at tertiary centers, while peripheral hospitals lack standardized guidelines and perform these procedures inconsistently. Training district-level surgeons would reduce the burden on tertiary centers and ensure more uniform treatment outcomes nationwide.

Dr. Gadgil emphasised the potential of technology-driven solutions to bridge the accessibility gap.

“Now is the right time to integrate AI, mobile apps, and telemedicine to provide low-cost interventions where healthcare providers cannot reach. However, very few programs are incorporating this into their research agendas. Most research has focused on defining the problem, while solution-driven studies remain limited to high-tech labs or behavioral change initiatives.”

By combining early detection strategies, improved training for healthcare workers, and innovative technological interventions, India can enhance survival rates and reduce breast cancer-related mortality, ultimately improving healthcare access for women across the country.>

  • Published On Feb 4, 2025 at 09:12 PM IST

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