The Times of India 16.11.2009
Urban lifestyle major cause of breast cancer
VARANASI: Are Indian women becoming more prone to breast cancer due to modern diet and changing lifestyle? If reports of health experts, participating in the one-day continuing medical education (CME) programme at Banaras Hindu University are to be believed, modern diet and lifestyle along with work stress are fast becoming one of the commonest reasons for the spread of breast cancer in the country.
According to Dr Diptendra Sarkar, a senior oncologist from Kolkata, the urban Indian women are more prone to develop breast cancer than those who live in villages. It is mainly due to industrialisation and urbanisation, resulting in change in lifestyle factors. "Junk food rich in carbohydrates, fats leading to obesity and lack of exercise are causing the increasing instances of breast cancer," he said.
Referring to the recent studies that have shown that one in 22 women in the country is likely to suffer from breast cancer in her lifetime, Dr Sarkar says risk may increase further with changing lifestyle and genetic mutations. "We have already witnessed screening for the presence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, but it is of little use in Indian context," he added.
However, hinting at some of the recent trends that threaten to ape the west, he said smaller families, delayed childbearing and reduced breast feeding were forcing increase in cases of breast cancer in the country.
It may be mentioned here that a recent study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) indicate that while India is presently witnessing annual incidence of over one lakh cases of breast cancer, there will be approximately 2,50,000 new cases of breast cancer by 2015.
But, for health experts, reduced average age of high risk group in India is becoming a major cause of concern in comparison to the West. "There is a difference of almost one decade and in our country, the average age of the high risk group is between 43 and 47 years, unlike the West where women aged above 53 years are more prone to breast cancer," said Prof AK Khanna, head, department of General Surgery, BHU and organising chairman of the programme.
Earlier, BHU rector Prof BD Singh inaugurated the CME. Prof TM Mohapatra, director, Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), BHU and other senior faculty members were also present on the occasion.
The one-day programme also witnessed discussions on recent advances in screening and management of breast cancer. A number of health experts including oncology surgeons, physicians and post-graduate medical students also attended the function.
Fast Facts
# India is presently witnessing over one lakh cases of breast cancer per year
# By 2015, there would be approximately 2,50,000 new cases of breast cancer
# Breast cancer contributes 19 to 32 per cent (almost one third) of all cancers in women
# While one in eight women in the West is likely to develop breast cancer in her lifetime, one in 22 women in India is likely to face the deadly cancer in her lifetime
Worrying Signs
# Modern diet and lifestyle along with work stress are becoming commonest reasons for breast cancer
# Junk food rich in carbohydrates, fat leading to obesity and lack of exercise are becoming one of the biggest contributors
# Smaller families, delayed childbearing and reduced breast feeding are increasing incidence of breast cancer
# Early menarche and late menopause are also emerging as risk factors
(Source: Department of General Surgery, BHU)
