Mohali: A team from Park Hospital, Mohali, including Director-Medical Oncology Dr. Sandeep Kukkar and Dr. Harinderpal Singh, Senior Consultant-Surgical Oncology Dr. Vijay Jagad, Consultant-Radiation Oncology Dr. Jobanjeet Kaur and Dr. Arnav Tiwari, addressed a press conference here on Friday regarding the increasing trends of breast cancer in India. Director-Medical Oncology Dr. Sandeep Kukkar said, "In India, 3 million people are suffering from cancer with 1.56 million new cases every year, and cancer claims 870,000 lives annually. Breast cancer and cervical cancer are the most common cancers in women, and lung and liver cancers are common in Indian men.
A few decades ago, breast cancer was mostly seen after the age of fifty, and the number of young women affected was low, with approximately 65% ??to 70% of cases occurring in women over 50 years of age and only 30%-35% in women under 50. Ironically, breast cancer is now more common in younger age groups, with more than 70% of cases presenting in advanced stages, which contributes to a higher mortality rate.
Director-Medical Oncology Dr. Harinderpal Singh said that one-third of cancers can be prevented through lifestyle changes.
He explained that breast self-examination and mammography are good techniques to reduce breast cancer cases in the early stages, and simple tests like chest X-rays can help detect cancer in its initial stages.
Park Hospital is North India's largest super-specialty hospital network with 19 hospitals, 3500 beds, 800 ICU beds, 14 cath labs, 45 modular OTs, and more than 1000 doctors.
According to Senior Consultant - Surgical Oncology Dr. Vijay Jagad, breast cancer has now surpassed cervical cancer to become the most common and deadly life-threatening disease of the new era. Breast cancer affects 2.1 million women every year, and 220,000 new cases are reported annually in India.
Consultant-Radiation Oncology Dr. Jobanjeet Kaur said that the number of new cancer cases is expected to increase by approximately 12 percent to 18 percent by 2026 compared to 2020.
Consultant-Radiation Oncology Dr. Arnav Tiwari stated that India is witnessing the highest prevalence of oral cancer, with 1.75 lakh new cases reported every year. Tobacco and gutkha contribute to 90 percent of oral cancer cases.