In 2020, approximately 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 6.85 lakh deaths were recorded globally; 7.8 million women were listed as survivors by the end of 2020, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer as stated by the World Health Organization. Epidemiological data revealed that as high as 25.8 women per 1 lakh Indian women develop breast cancer and 12.7 women succumb to death from the disease.
CII, in association with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Cancer Prevention And Research (NICPR) and Novartis International AG, a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company, has published a white paper titled Breast Cancer Landscape in India—explaining the intensity of breast cancer scenario in the country. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Indian women, both in terms of incidence as well as mortality. The proportional prevalence in younger age-groups in India is higher than the global average. The incidence of breast cancer is 25.8 per 100,000 women and is expected to rise to 35 per 100,000 women in 2026, according to the ministry of health and family welfare.
India faces additional challenges in terms of disease profile, the report said. Indian breast cancer patients are younger with an average age of diagnosis of 46.2 years. Nearly 48 per cent are diagnosed in the premenopausal age, which implies a more aggressive disease and negative effect on the overall prognosis and disease burden. Almost 50 per cent of breast cancer patients first visit the doctor when they are in stage III and 15-20 per cent of patients visit when they are in stage IV, the researchers said following discussions with oncologists. A lot of patients are being diagnosed in their late 20s or early 30s as well. This is in contrast with the US and the UK where the majority of patients are in a much older age-group.
Several studies suggest that poor lifestyle and obesity are two major risk factors for breast cancer, particularly those who are menopausal. Medical research has identified smoking and drinking alcohol as two major lifestyle factors contributing to breast cancer risk. Moreover, a high-sugar diet consisting processed foods, unhealthy fats, and additives is also linked to the disease, according to a comprehensive review from 2019.
While undergoing breast cancer treatments such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, it is even more important that women find ways to keep their bodies as healthy as possible. One of the best ways to do this is by getting proper nutrition through a diet of anti-inflammatory foods. Research by ICMR reveals that an anti-inflammatory diet holds strong potential to reduce cancer risk and may decrease the risk of cancer recurrence and overall mortality in patients with breast cancer. When looking for ways to keep chronic inflammation at bay, research consistently points to four key lifestyle factors: exercise, reducing stress, managing weight and getting proper nutrition. When it comes to nutrition and inflammation, this means including anti-inflammatory foods and excluding inflammatory foods. An anti-inflammatory diet favors fruits and vegetables, foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, lean protein, healthful fats, and spices.