India records over two lakh breast cancer cases as health officials stress early screening
India reported more than two lakh new breast cancer cases in 2024, with an estimated one in 29 women facing a lifetime risk of developing the disease, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said on Friday.
Speaking at an event marking the release of commemorative postage stamps for breast cancer awareness, Srivastava emphasised that early diagnosis plays a crucial role in improving treatment outcomes.
She noted that delayed detection continues to pose a significant challenge, despite increasing public awareness and the availability of screening services.
Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among Indian women, accounting for over 30 per cent of new cancer cases in the female population.
The Health Secretary encouraged women to seek regular screening, remain aware of changes in their bodies and make use of government healthcare facilities and digital health services for timely diagnosis.
The Department of Posts has introduced a special collection of commemorative stamps and picture postcards to promote awareness and encourage preventive healthcare practices.
The campaign also aims to use India’s extensive postal network to share information about early detection and screening.
Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, screening for oral, breast and cervical cancers is provided through more than 1.8 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
The programme has conducted approximately 86.97 crore screenings nationwide. These include 49.02 crore screenings for oral cancer, 22.90 crore for breast cancer and 14.05 crore for cervical cancer.
Among those screened, around 5.50 lakh people are currently receiving treatment. This includes 2.70 lakh oral cancer patients, 1.43 lakh breast cancer patients and 1.37 lakh cervical cancer patients.
Officials reiterated that expanding screening access and encouraging early medical consultation remain central to reducing the impact of cancer.