Breast cancer has emerged as the leading cancer among Indian women, with nearly 200,000 new cases diagnosed each year, according to a new report by the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS). 

Titled “NAMS Task Force Report on Breast Cancer in India,” the study, published in the Annals of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, exposes critical gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and awareness that are driving poorer outcomes in India compared to wealthier countries.

According to the report, over 60% of breast cancer patients in India are diagnosed at Stage 3 or 4, when the disease is harder to treat, compared to the U.S., where most cases are caught at Stage 1 or earlier. This delay, often exceeding three months from symptom onset to medical consultation, is a key reason for India’s lower survival rates.

The report said that diagnostic facilities like mammography and specialized pathology labs are heavily concentrated in urban centers, leaving rural regions underserved. This urban-rural divide, coupled with a shortage of trained oncologists, means many patients receive delayed or inaccurate diagnoses, hampering treatment. Treatment disparities are equally stark, with advanced therapies like surgery and radiotherapy widely available in cities but scarce elsewhere.

Rural women unaware of breast cancer symptoms

Lack of awareness compounds the crisis. Many women, particularly in rural communities, are unaware of breast cancer symptoms, leading to late-stage presentations. Cultural stigmas and financial barriers further delay care.

The Indian government allocates funds for cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and research through various national health programs and schemes. For instance, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana scheme initiated in 2018 provides a defined benefit cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year. 

“However, the penetration of the scheme among the underprivileged is less than optimum. This may be due to a lack of awareness and limited access to treatment,” the report notes.

The report calls for a nationwide push to boost awareness and expand screening programs, citing the Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative, which has screened over 10 crore women for breast cancer as of 2023, as a step in the right direction.

The report proposes more mammography units, better pathology services, and increased training for oncology specialists as solutions. It also urges stronger collaboration between government, healthcare providers, and NGOs to ensure equitable access to care.

Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer, with over 2.3 million new cases and 685,000 deaths in 2020. For India, the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) projected 1.3 million new cancer cases and around 850,000 cancer-related deaths in 2020. Breast cancer topped the list as the most common cancer in India, representing 13.5% of new cases and contributing to 10.6% of all cancer fatalities.

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