Young women at risk of breast cancer: What's the reason
Breast cancer isn't just an older woman's issue anymore—more young Indian women are being diagnosed than ever.
Recent data shows that 15-20% of breast cancer patients in India are under 40, much higher than the 2-6% seen in Western countries.
In Karnataka, cases among women aged 20-40 have even doubled over the past five years.
Experts say lifestyle changes, genetics to blame
Experts point to changing lifestyles and habits: things like delayed pregnancies, less breastfeeding, higher rates of obesity, and more high-calorie diets or alcohol use can all raise risk.
Genetics matter too—mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2 make some young women especially vulnerable.
To make things tougher, early detection is rare; less than 1% of Indian women aged 30-49 have had a breast exam (according to the National Family Health Survey from 2019-21), showing there's a real need for more awareness and screening.