Breast cancer is now leading cancer among women in Chandigarh: PGI

Prof J S Thakur, president, World NCD Federation, Department of Community Medicine, PGI, said that the registry data revealed that 36.3% of all female cancer cases in Chandigarh are breast cancer. “It’s a worrying trend, but the silver lining is that timely screening and lifestyle modification can prevent many cases or ensure early and successful treatment,” he added. “Breast cancer is now the leading cancer among women in Chandigarh, and the role of screening and early detection in achieving cancer downstaging and improved outcomes is paramount,” added Dr Nandita Kakkar from PGI. Doctors recommend that every woman above the age of 40 undergo regular mammography and self-breast examination. Any lump, pain, or unusual change in the breast should be promptly reported to a doctor.

Dr Sukhpal Kaur, principal, National Institute of Nursing Education (NINE), PGI, emphasised that prevention begins with daily habits. “A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, coupled with regular exercise such as yoga or brisk walking, plays a crucial role in lowering cancer risk. Avoiding junk food, red meat, and sugary items can make a significant difference,” she said.

According to experts, awareness, screening, and timely medical care remain the three strongest weapons against breast cancer. Prof Thakur highlighted the burden of NCDs and mentioned that from July 2018 to December 2021, the maximum cases reported for cancer (62.9%), among all the cases reported under the Chandigarh NCD Registry. This was followed by cases of acute cardiac events (27.7%), stroke (8.3%), young diabetes (0.8%) and aplastic anaemia (0.3%). Regarding the NCD risk factors, 20% were smokers, and 3% reported using smokeless tobacco products. Alcohol consumption was noted in 24% of individuals. In terms of dietary habits, approximately 54% of men and 53% of women reported consuming fruits and vegetables daily, reflecting a moderate adherence to healthy dietary practices.

For Chandigarh: The age-adjusted incidence among cancer cases reported from UT was 97.33 per 1,00,000 for males and 98.74 per 1,00,000 for females. The age-adjusted mortality rate was 50.02 per 1,00,000 for males and 46.88 per 1,00,000 for females. The majority of the male patients were diagnosed with lung cancer (14.7%), followed by prostate (13.9%), and urinary bladder (6.7%). The majority of the male patients died with lung cancer (15.6%), followed by liver cancer (5.6%). and prostate cancer (5.6%). Most of the female patients were diagnosed with breast cancer (36.3%), followed by ovarian cancer (7.4%), cervix uteri (6.6%), endometrium (6.1%), and gall bladder (4.1%). The majority of the female patients died with breast cancer (20.7%), followed by gall bladder (9.2%) and ovary (6.4%). Talking of the role of cancer registries for cancer control, Prof Rakesh Kapoor, unit head, Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, said that these can be effectively linked to population data to enhance early detection, follow-up, and treatment outcomes.