Breast Cancer is the most prevalent form of Cancer in the world and India owes the dubious distinction of having the maximum number of estimated breast cancer deaths for the year 2022 among females.
As per Global Cancer Observatory, International Agency for Researchon Cancer – World Health Organization (IARC-WHO), 2022, breast cancer was the most common type of cancer globally with estimated mortality cases of 665255 for the year 2022 among females and India ranked the highest in number of estimated breast cancer deaths (98,337) for the same year among females.
As per the report of National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) – National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), the total number of breast cancer detected in India between 2019 and 2023 year-wise include 200218 (2019), 205424 (2020), 210714 (2021), 216108 (2022) and 221579 (2023) respectively.
State-wise, Uttar Pradesh had the maximum number of Breast Cancer cases in country in past five years (1,46,544) followed by Maharashtra (93,130), West Bengal (82,839), Tamil Nadu (75,413) and Bihar (73,882) respectively.
Top five states with maximum cases of Breast Cancer in last five years
| State | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 10,365 | 10,629 | 10,898 | 11,172 | 11,451 |
| Maharashtra | 6598 | 6761 | 6926 | 7094 | 7265 |
| Tamil Nadu | 5301 | 5453 | 5607 | 5765 | 5926 |
| Bihar | 5214 | 5352 | 5493 | 5638 | 5786 |
| West Bengal | 5859 | 6010 | 6161 | 6315 | 6472 |
Casualties reported due to breast cancer year-wise between 2019 and 2023 in India include 74,481 (2019), 76,414 (2020), 78,387 (2021), 80,390 (2022) and 82,429 (2023) respectively.
Further, the five states with maximum number of causalities due to Breast Cancer between 2019 and 2023 witnessed Uttar Pradesh bag the top spot with 54,515 deaths in past five years followed by Maharashtra (34,644), Tamil Nadu (28,052), West Bengal (30,817) and Bihar (27,483) respectively.
Top five states with maximum deaths due to Breast Cancer in last five years
| State | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Total |
| Uttar Pradesh | 10,365 | 10,629 | 10,898 | 11,172 | 11,451 | 54,515 |
| Maharashtra | 6598 | 6761 | 6926 | 7094 | 7265 | 34,644 |
| Tamil Nadu | 5301 | 5453 | 5607 | 5765 | 5926 | 28,052 |
| West Bengal | 5859 | 6010 | 6161 | 6315 | 6472 | 30,817 |
| Bihar | 5214 | 5352 | 5493 | 5638 | 5786 | 27,483 |
Causes for high prevalence of Breast Cancer
Certain factors increase the risk of breast cancer including increasing age, obesity, harmful use of alcohol, family history of breast cancer, history of radiation exposure, reproductive history (such as age that menstrual periods began and age at first pregnancy), tobacco use and postmenopausal hormone therapy. Approximately half of breast cancers develop in women who have no identifiable breast cancer risk factor other than gender (female) and age (over 40 years).
Family history of breast cancer increases the risk of breast cancer, but most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a known family history of the disease. Lack of a known family history does not necessarily mean that a woman is at reduced risk.
Certain inherited high penetrance gene mutations greatly increase breast cancer risk, the most dominant being mutations in the genes BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB-2. Women found to have mutations in these major genes may consider risk reduction strategies such as surgical removal of both breasts or chemoprevention strategies.
World Health Organization
As per World Health Organization (WHO), Breast Cancer caused 670 000 deaths globally in 2022 and roughly half of all breast cancers occur in women with no specific risk factors other than sex and age.
It was also the most common cancer in women in 157 countries out of 185 in 2022. Approximately 0.5–1% of breast cancers occur in men.
Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer Facilities Scheme
As per a recent statement issued by Minister of State Ministry, Health and Family Welfare, Government of India Satya Pal Singh Baghel, the Central Government implemented strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer Facilities Scheme. 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs) had been approved under the said scheme. Also National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar (Haryana) and second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata have also been set up. Moreover, all new AIIMS and 13 upgraded existing Government Medical Colleges/Institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY) also focussed on treatment of Cancer.
