In India, breast cancer has become the most common cancer among women, surpassing cervical cancer in the number of new cases. What was once considered a disease affecting mainly older women is now being found more often in younger women in their 30s and 40s.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the average age of breast cancer diagnosis in India is almost ten years younger than in Western countries. This shows a clear shift in the country’s health pattern.
Dr Boman Dhabhar, Director of Oncology at Fortis Hospital, Mumbai, explains that this rise is connected to changes in lifestyle and environment. “We are seeing more women diagnosed with aggressive subtypes like HER2+. The overall incidence of breast cancer in India is steadily increasing,” he says.
He adds that factors such as urbanisation, delayed childbirth, reduced breastfeeding, poor diet, hormonal changes, and stress are contributing to this trend. Many of these are linked to modern work and living habits, especially in cities.
However, there is good news. With advances in technology and medical awareness, breast cancer outcomes are improving. Today, women diagnosed early can receive targeted treatment that not only saves lives but also maintains their quality of life.
One of the most important changes in recent years is the use of technology for early detection. Early detection means catching the disease when it is still in its initial stage and more treatable.
India is now seeing major improvements in this area through AI-powered mammograms, hand-held breast scanners, and portable ultrasound devices. These tools make screening easier, faster, and less painful for women, especially those who are hesitant to visit hospitals for regular check-ups.
Dr Dhabhar says that these technologies help find even small tumours that might otherwise go unnoticed. “Modern tools like 3D mammography can detect growths that older 2D machines may miss, especially in younger women with denser breast tissue,” he explains.
This means more women are being diagnosed before the disease spreads, giving doctors a better chance to treat it effectively.
The biggest change, however, is not just in detection but in how the treatment is being done. Traditional chemotherapy affects the whole body, leading to fatigue, hair loss, and other side effects. But targeted therapies are now changing this experience.
“Targeted therapy focuses on the specific molecular markers of the tumour, such as HER2 proteins, and blocks their growth,” says Dr Dhabhar. This type of treatment is personalised — designed to suit each patient’s unique condition rather than using a one-size-fits-all method.
As a result, treatment is now more efficient, with fewer side effects and better long-term results. “The goal of treatment today,” Dr Dhabhar adds, “is not only to extend life but to preserve dignity, comfort, and normalcy. Patients should be able to live fully while undergoing therapy.”
Another remarkable change is the introduction of subcutaneous injections, which deliver the same cancer-fighting medicine directly under the skin. Unlike IV infusions that take several hours in the hospital, these injections take just a few minutes.
“This saves time for both patients and doctors,” says Dr Dhabhar. “It allows patients to spend more time with family instead of being tied to a hospital bed. It also reduces fatigue for caregivers and helps hospitals serve more patients efficiently.”
This shift towards quicker, less invasive methods represents a major improvement in how breast cancer treatment is experienced.
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With early detection and precision medicine (personalised treatment based on each patient’s biology), India’s fight against breast cancer is becoming stronger and more hopeful.
Government-supported screening programs, awareness campaigns, and affordable medical technologies are encouraging more women to go for regular check-ups. Many hospitals and NGOs are working together to make screening available even in smaller towns.
According to Dr Dhabhar, “The focus now is not just on treating the disease but helping women reclaim their lives.” This means supporting patients emotionally, mentally, and socially, so that they can return to their normal routines with confidence.
The combination of AI-based diagnostics and new-generation treatments has also made cancer care faster and less painful. From early detection to targeted drugs and easy-to-administer therapies, every step of the journey is now more patient-friendly.
In the past, cancer treatment was often seen as harsh and exhausting. Today, it’s about living better, not just longer. This new approach marks a major step in how India views cancer — not as a death sentence, but as a disease that can be managed, treated, and survived.
The message from doctors is simple yet powerful: early detection saves lives. The sooner a woman gets screened, the easier her treatment and recovery will be.
Technology is now making it possible for more women to receive help at the right time. With awareness, regular health checks, and modern treatment options, India is moving toward a future where breast cancer is not feared but faced with strength and hope.
As Dr Dhabhar concludes, “The earlier the diagnosis, the lighter the journey — not just in treatment, but in hope.”
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