Breast cancer is a growing concern in India, and globally. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) identifies it as the most common cancer among women in our country. Worryingly, over the past decade, experts have observed and reported an alarming rise in breast cancer afflicting younger women, between the ages of 35 and 45. While family history is an important risk factor, genetic predisposition only accounts for 10%-15% of the cases, the rest occur in women with no specific risk factors beyond sex and age.
Despite the alarming trends, breast cancer need not mean end of life. It can be prevented and treated very successfully by taking proactive steps to minimize risk factors and encourage early detection.
