Bangalore- From IT Capital To Breast Cancer Capital

Bangalore: Breast cancer, the most common of all cancers, is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide. This deadly disease accounts for over 1.6 percent of deaths in the world and the case fatality rates are highest in underdeveloped nations. A recent study of breast cancer risk in India revealed that 1 in 28 women develop breast cancer during their lifetime. This is higher in urban areas with 1 in 22 cases as compared to rural areas where this risk is relatively lower with just 1 in 60 women developing breast cancer. As per the Population Based Cancer Registry (PBCR) report 2013, now IT capital of India, Bangalore is dubbed as the breast cancer capital of the country, reports Garima Prasher for TOI.

With over 30 new cases out of every one lakh population, the city certainly tops the chart. In Bangalore, the disease is affecting increasing number of younger women in the age-group of 35-45 against the global trend of elderly ladies. For this alarming situation, doctors blame the sedentary fast-paced lifestyle, late childbirth and the lesser amount of time women spend breast-feeding their babies.

Dr K S Gopinath, senior consultant, surgical oncologist, HCG, Bangalore said, "Due to urbanization, the lifestyle of people has changed by 180 degrees and the effect is visible. While the normal age of contracting breast cancer was anywhere between 45 and 55 years a decade ago, it has plunged to 35-45. We see girls as young as 18 years with breast cancer," reports TOI.

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