Breast cancer may double by 2025 in city

Women Above 50 Form Highest Risk Group

 Just as the month-long awareness of breast cancer begins, there is a bit of bad news for Mumbai's women, especially those 50 years old and above. 

    A study in Cancer Epidemiology journal says the incidence of breast cancer is likely to double to over 2,500 cases by 2025. In 2001-2005, the average incidence was 1,300 cases. After reviewing 30 years of the cancer registry data in Mumbai, Tata Memorial Hospital's doctors have worked out that this increase is likely to be highest in the 50-74 age group. 
    The reasons for this spike in cancer cases are well known. "Adaptation of a western lifestyle—an increased prevalence of ill-defined series of reproductive, hormonal and dietary determinants in the populations—has been postulated as a primary reason for the increasing breast cancer incidence rates among Asian and Asian American women,'' said the study led by Dr Rajesh P Dikshit, who heads the epidemiology department of Tata Memorial Hospital. The study also found an association between socio-economic status and the risk of breast cancer, with women in higher socio-economic groups at a higher risk than women with lower average social status. 
    The study found an interesting age-related difference in the data: incidence rate of breast cancer in younger women in Mumbai had increased by 1% per annum from 21.2 per 100,000 during 1976-1980 to 27.3 in 2000-2005. "The incidence of breast cancer in the city peaked a few years back,'' said Dr Dikshit. The incidence in older women, however, has been high and may continue to rise drastically. For instance, the incidence rate among older women increased by 1.6% per year, from 65.8 in 1976-1980 to 94.7 in 2001-2005. "Based on the current trends, we predict that the total burden of breast cancer in Mumbai will certainly increase and may reach over 2,500 cases by 2025, largely as a result of the changing demographic profile of Mumbai," the study said, adding that preventive measures can potentially reduce this burden.