Mangaluru: A growing number of young women in their 20s in the city are coming forward for breast cancer screening and seeking guidance on self-breast examination. While fear and anxiety often surround breast cancer screening, medical experts stress that awareness and early detection remain the strongest tools in improving survival rates.
Cancer Statistics in Mangaluru
The district reported 13,322 cancer cases during 2025-26, including 9,211 patients from neighbouring districts who sought treatment in Mangaluru. In total, 938 cases were related to breast cancer.
Expert Insights on Breast Cancer Trends
Dr Basila Ameer Ali, consultant, breast surgery, KMC Hospital, said that breast cancer has now overtaken cervical cancer as the most common cancer among women, and remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in India. While one in eight women in Western countries is diagnosed with breast cancer, survival rates are higher there due to early detection. In India, the incidence is about one in 24 women, with urban areas reporting a higher risk (1 in 22) compared to rural regions (1 in 60). However, mortality remains high due to late diagnosis, she said.
The median age of diagnosis in India is 45-50 years, nearly a decade earlier than in the West, and 15-25% of cases are detected in women under 40. “To address this, we have begun extensive awareness programmes in schools, colleges and even among staff at malls, educating people that stage 1 and stage 2 breast cancers are highly curable. We are also encouraging women to perform self-breast examinations,” Dr Basila said. As awareness spreads, more women in their 20s are coming forward to learn about self breast examination and consultations. “We are teaching young students so that as they grow older, they will be more aware and seek medical help if they notice any abnormalities. Boys are also included in awareness sessions to normalise conversations around breast cancer and remove the social taboo associated with the disease,” she said.
Survival Rates and Screening Guidelines
According to Dr Basila, survival rates for stage 1 and 2 breast cancer are nearly 90%, while for stages 3 and 4, survival drops to around 60%. Indian women tend to develop breast cancer nearly a decade earlier than women in Western countries. She advised women to begin self-breast examinations at 30, undergo clinical screenings from 40, and opt for mammograms by 45. Advances such as breast conservation surgery and oncoplasty are helping more patients preserve and reconstruct their breasts.
Risk Factors and Prevention
While sedentary lifestyles, work stress, smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity are considered risk factors, the exact cause of breast cancer is still not fully understood. It is important to maintain a healthy body weight, exercising for at least 40-45 minutes daily, managing stress effectively, and following healthy sleep habits.
“Today, the focus is on de-escalation of therapy, ensuring patients receive effective treatment with the least possible side effects,” she added.
