The provided blog post discusses the alarming rise in breast cancer incidence in Hyderabad and other South Indian cities, attributing it to lifestyle factors and the need for better data collection through mandatory disease reporting.
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The news article highlights a concerning trend: Breast cancer Hyderabad has the highest incidence rate in India. Specifically, 54 out of every one lakh women in the city suffer from this ailment [7]. Bengaluru follows closely with 46.7 cases per one lakh women [7]. This significant finding comes from research by the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) [7]. Subsequently, the findings were published in the JAMA Open Network, a journal of the American Medical Association (AMA) [7].
Understanding the Rising Incidence of Breast Cancer in Hyderabad
Several other South Indian cities also show high rates of breast cancer. For example, Chennai reports an age-adjusted incidence rate (AAIR) of 45.4, Alappuzha 42.2, and Thiruvananthapuram 40.7 [7]. Notably, AAIR helps compare disease rates across different age groups and regions, thereby offering crucial insights into disease prevalence [7]. Doctors largely attribute this elevated AAIR in Hyderabad and other cities to an urban lifestyle [7]. This lifestyle includes factors like obesity, sedentary routines, high alcohol intake, early menstruation, late menopause, late childbirth, and a lack of breastfeeding [7]. Each of these factors consequently increases the risk of breast cancer.
In 2024, breast cancer affected approximately 2.38 lakh individuals nationally, making it the most common cancer among Indian women [7]. The increase in cases in Hyderabad is evident in both government and private hospitals [7]. Furthermore, doctors observe younger women, aged 20 to 30, are now reporting breast cancer, which was less common previously [7]. For instance, MNJ Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad sees about 120 to 130 cases monthly, totaling 1,500 to 1,600 cases annually [7]. Private hospitals also manage hundreds of cases monthly. Additionally, Osmania Hospital, Gandhi Hospital, and NIMS treat dozens of patients [7].
Why is Breast Cancer Hyderabad’s Leading Concern?
Dr. Mukta Srinivasulu, a senior oncologist at MNJ Cancer Hospital, notes a clear shift [7]. Cervical cancer cases are decreasing, while breast cancer cases are rising [7]. She reports that monthly cases at MNJ Cancer Hospital have increased from 70-75 to over 100 [7]. Many urban areas share similar lifestyles, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact reason why Hyderabad leads the nation [7]. Nevertheless, Dr. Srinivasulu confirms the rise in cases extends across Telangana, not just the capital [7].
Dr. Nivalika Rajamani, a senior oncologist, links this surge primarily to sedentary lifestyles [7]. Moreover, Hyderabad ranks among the top cities for diabetes in India (4th), a condition linked to breast cancer [7]. The easy availability of ultra-processed and adulterated food further exacerbates this serious health risk [7]. Rural women still frequently present with cervical cancer, whereas urban women increasingly develop breast cancer [7]. Dr. Rajamani personally treats 10 to 12 breast cancer cases each month [7].
The Need for Notifiable Disease Status in Telangana
Currently, cancer is not a notifiable disease in Telangana [7]. Consequently, hospitals are not mandated to report cases to a central database [7]. Experts believe this lack of mandatory reporting creates a gap in national cancer data [7, 20]. Presently, the registry mainly relies on records from MNJ Cancer Hospital and NIMS in Hyderabad [7].
An official from the Telangana health department confirms that the government plans to make cancer a notifiable disease in the coming months [7, 10, 17]. This crucial step will establish more accurate databases, facilitate better patient follow-ups, and improve policymaking and cancer control efforts across Telangana [7, 10, 17]. Therefore, this change will significantly enhance public health initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the age-adjusted incidence rate (AAIR)?
AAIR is a standardized measure that helps compare disease rates across different age groups and geographic regions. It provides a clearer understanding of how common a disease, such as cancer, is within a population, accounting for age structure differences [7].
Q2: What lifestyle factors contribute to the high breast cancer rates in Hyderabad?
Doctors attribute the high rates primarily to urban lifestyle factors. These include obesity, sedentary routines, high alcohol intake, early menstruation (menarche), late menopause, late childbirth, and insufficient breastfeeding. The consumption of ultra-processed and adulterated foods also plays a role [7].
Q3: Why is it important to make cancer a notifiable disease in Telangana?
Making cancer a notifiable disease will require hospitals to report all cases to a central database. This will lead to more accurate data collection, better patient tracking and follow-up, and more informed policymaking for cancer control and prevention efforts across the state [7, 10, 17, 20].
References
- Breast cancer cases in Hyderabad highest in India – ETHealthworld
- ICMR – National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research. Statistics.
- The Statistical Analysis Of Breast Cancer Cases In Indian Women – Omega Hospital.
- Rising breast cancer in India: Challenges and opportunities.
- India’s Cancer Map 2025: Regional Trends, Risk Factors, and Key Health Programmes.
- Cancer should be declared as notified disease, says Parliamentary panel – Telangana Today.
- 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 – PubMed.
- 50% spike in cancer cases in Telangana in last 3 decades | Hyderabad News.
- Hyderabad Tops Breast Cancers in India – Deccan Chronicle.
- Breast cancer burden looms large over Telangana in coming decade.
- Time to make cancer a notifiable disease: Experts – Telangana Today.
- Cases of Breast Cancer – GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION.
- Telangana Profile of Cancer and Related Factors – icmr-ncdir.
- Oncologists call for making cancer a notifiable disease, maintain accurate records.
Disclaimer: This article was automatically generated from publicly available sources and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. OC Academy does not exercise editorial control or claim authorship over this content. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider and refer to current local and national clinical guidelines.