Post by : Saif Rahman

Dr. Sudipto De, a noted cancer surgeon, has sounded the alarm about an uptick in breast cancer diagnoses among younger women in India. He shared that roughly 15–20% of breast cancer cases in the country now occur in women below 40, with the average age at diagnosis near 45 years.

Dr. De, who practices at the Metro Heart Institute with Multispecialty in Faridabad, used social media to urge greater vigilance. He emphasised that breast cancer is no longer confined to women over 50 — cases are appearing in women in their 20s and 30s as well.

Young women face a mounting risk

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported about 670,000 deaths from breast cancer worldwide in 2022. The disease continues to be one of the principal causes of female mortality globally.

Dr. De described the situation in India as worrying. He attributed the shift toward earlier onset to a combination of genetic predisposition, changing lifestyles and later motherhood.

“Even women in their 30s can develop breast cancer. Awareness and timely evaluation can make a real difference,” he said.

What is driving the rise among younger women?

According to Dr. De, both inherited and lifestyle-related factors explain much of the trend.

He pointed to mutations in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, and lifestyle risks including inactivity, obesity, alcohol consumption and chronic stress as contributors to higher risk.

Delayed marriage and childbirth, together with reduced rates of breastfeeding, were also cited as factors that may increase a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.

“We are now seeing almost one in five cases in India occurring in women under 40,” Dr. De noted.

Early detection improves outcomes

Despite the concerning trend, Dr. De stressed that early detection significantly improves treatment success. Routine screening and attention to bodily changes allow clinicians to identify disease at a more treatable stage.

He recommended three practical steps for women:

Know your body – Be alert to any new lumps, swelling or persistent changes.

Review family history – If relatives have had breast or ovarian cancer, discuss genetic testing and earlier surveillance with your doctor.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle – Keep active, eat a balanced diet, limit alcohol and avoid tobacco, and keep up with routine medical check-ups.

Dr. De reiterated, “When breast cancer is detected early, even aggressive forms in younger patients can often be treated successfully. Early action saves lives.”

The case for earlier screening

Many still assume breast cancer is a disease of older age, but Dr. De says this misconception is increasingly inaccurate in India. He encouraged young women to learn breast self-examination techniques and to seek assessment for symptoms such as pain, swelling or abnormal discharge.

He added that mammography and ultrasound can detect disease before symptoms appear, and that clinicians may advise starting screening earlier for women at higher genetic or familial risk.

“Do not wait until symptoms escalate. Screening helps identify cancer sooner, and early treatment delivers the best outcomes,” he warned.

Lifestyle choices can reduce risk

Experts note that some straightforward lifestyle adjustments can lower breast cancer risk. Recommended measures include:

Maintaining a healthy weight

Regular physical activity

Eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains

Limiting processed foods, alcohol and smoking

Managing stress through practices such as yoga or meditation

Dr. De also mentioned that breastfeeding may offer protective benefits by lowering lifetime exposure to oestrogen, a hormone associated with breast cancer risk.

A message of informed vigilance

Dr. De’s post has reached a wide audience online, particularly younger women who are becoming more informed about risk factors and screening. His aim is to dispel the notion that breast cancer affects only older women and to promote timely medical evaluation.

“Understand your risk, get screened when appropriate, and don’t dismiss new changes,” he urged. “Even if you are young, staying attentive can be life-saving.”

The reminder underscores that awareness, prevention and early diagnosis remain the most effective tools against breast cancer.

#Wellness