Breast cancer was once considered a condition affecting older women, but now it is rising as an unexpected threat among younger women in their early 20s, 30s and 40s. Medical experts across the country are witnessing a worrying trend that disease is not only appearing earlier but also progressing more viciously. This sudden change is attributed to several factors, such as modern lifestyle, eating behaviours, genetics, and environmental triggers, which are increasing the risk profile of younger generations.
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Dive into this article to explore what’s driving this rise in early-onset breast cancer among Indian women.
Risk Factors for Early-Onset Breast Cancer
Lifestyle Shifts/ Urban Pressures
The fast-paced lifestyle and modernisation in India have brought a lot of comfort and health risks alike. Most young women lead a sedentary lifestyle, spending most of their time at desks, on mobiles or in traffic. This, coupled with poor eating patterns, junk food and lack of physical activity, has led to weight gain and hormonal imbalances that eventually contribute to breast cancer risk.
In addition, stress from an overdemanding careers, and peer pressures alters cortisol hormones and indirectly impacts hormonal regulation and immune function.
Hormonal Imbalances/ Early Puberty
In recent years, girls are attaining puberty at a very young age than previous generations. This may be due to better nutrition, changing eating habits and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in food, plastics, and cosmetics. Moreover, early puberty suggests longer lifetime exposure to estrogen, a vital hormone associated with breast cancer risk.
Also, lifestyle disorders like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are very common among young Indian women, which contribute to hormonal disturbances that may increase susceptibility.
Delayed Marriage / Motherhood
Cultural and social changes have empowered women to prioritize education and strong hold in careers, a positive shift, but it also means that marriage and childbirth are happening later, or sometimes not at all.
Early pregnancy and prolonged breastfeeding are known to protect against breast cancer, as they reduce lifetime estrogen exposure. When these delays occur, the protective window narrows badly.
Environmental / Chemical Exposure
Our environment is fully polluted with hazardous pollutants and even foods we eat contain pesticides. Also, many products contain BPA in plastics or parabens in cosmetics products that act as endocrine disruptors, mimicking or interfering with estrogen functions.
Young women growing up in urban regions are more exposed to these chemicals from an early age, increasing their risk.
Also Read: Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
Genetic Predisposition
Though genetics is not the sole factor for this growing trend, it holds a key role in a few cases. Mutations in genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 can lead to breast cancer developing at a much younger age. However, awareness and proper access to genetic testing remain limited in India, and at-risk women are never identified early enough for preventive measures.
Changing Reproductive Patterns
Irregular menstrual cycles, shorter breastfeeding durations, and prolonged use of hormonal contraceptives may all play a small role, but all the factors put together can increase the risk of early-onset breast cancer.
Delayed Diagnosis
One of the heartbreaking factors is the delay in diagnosis. Most young women would think that they are at a very low risk of breast cancer. They ignore early signs of cancer, like a small lump, nipple discharge or skin changes, letting go of them as hormonal fluctuations.
With poor awareness and limited access to screening in rural and semi-urban areas, many diagnoses happen only when the cancer is advanced stage.
Effective Measures To Delay Risk
The rise in early-onset breast cancer is a wake-up call for both individuals and the healthcare system.
Encourage awareness about breast self-examination even among young women.
Encourage regular check-ups for those with family history or hormonal conditions like PCOS.
Eat a wholesome diet, get regular exercise, restrict alcohol, and manage stress.
Early detection for genetic counselling and testing in families with multiple cancer cases.
The rise of early-onset breast cancer among Indian women reflects a changing world, one where biology, lifestyle, and environment collide. However, creating awareness among women, prompt and easy access to diagnostic services can help to reverse this alarming trend.
(This article is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna, Chief Content Editor)
Author Profile:
M Sowmya Binu
With over 15 years of expertise and a Postgraduate degree in Nutrition, M Sowmya Binu is a seasoned professional in the field of nutrition. Specialising in tailoring personalised diet plans, she underscores the significance of a balanced approach to health, emphasising the integration of medication with dietary intake for holistic wellness. Passionate about equipping individuals with knowledge to make informed decisions, Sowmya adeptly develops insightful content encompassing a wide array of topics, including food, nutrition, supplements, and overall health.
References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11101532/
Burden of female breast cancer in India: estimates of YLDs, YLLs, and DALYs at national and subnational levels based on the national cancer registry programme
Vaitheeswaran Kulothungan 1, Thilagavathi Ramamoorthy 1, Krishnan Sathishkumar 1, Rohith Mohan 1, Nifty Tomy 1, G J Miller 1, Prashant Mathur 1,✉
https://waocp.com/journal/index.php/apjcb/article/view/1446
https://waocp.com/journal/index.php/apjcb/article/view/1446
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