Breast Cancer Surges in India: ICMR Reveals Key Risk Factors & Alarming Trends

• Breast cancer cases are rapidly increasing globally and in India, with an estimated 5.6% annual rise in India, leading to 50,000 new cases yearly.
• An ICMR study identifies non-vegetarian food, insufficient sleep, and obesity as significant risk factors for breast cancer among Indians.
• Globally, 2.3 million new cases were identified in 2022, with 670,000 deaths; India reported 221,757 cases.
• Risk factors for women include increasing age at marriage and having more than two abortions (1.68 times higher risk).
• Key symptoms to watch for include new lumps, swelling, skin changes, nipple discharge, and persistent pain, urging immediate medical consultation.

Why It Matters: Breast cancer is rising in India; lifestyle, reproductive factors, and early symptom recognition are crucial for prevention and care.