Breast Cancer Emerges as Major Health Concern in Bengaluru, Says ICMR

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 4 September 2025

• A latest ICMR study reports increased cases of breast cancer among Bengaluru women
• Bengaluru is one of the three cities at the national level with the highest rate of breast cancer
• The city also features in the top 10 at the national level for cervical and oral cancers

Breast cancer in Bengaluru women is a serious health concern, with the recent Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) survey placing the city at the top three in the country for breast cancer.

Bengaluru is placed in the top 10 for cervical and oral cancers as well. Lung cancer is the most common among men in southern cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Cancer cases have slowly but steadily increased across India. The ICMR's National Cancer Registry Programme has reported there were 15.62 lakh patients and 8.74 lakh deaths in 2024, and in 2022 there were 14.6 lakh patients.

Bengaluru had close to 140 per 100,000 women who reported cancer cases and men had 125 per 100,000, with Bengaluru coming sixth in the country based on women only.

The research emphasized regional differences, with the Northeast states of East Khasi Hills, Aizawl, and Kamrup Urban having the highest incidence, most notably oesophageal cancer. Kerala and Kashmir were also among the high-burden areas.

Breast and cervical cancers are most common in women, and oral, lung, and prostate cancers are most common in men. Oral cancer is developing at a fast pace, and Ahmedabad witnessed the steepest rise.

At the national level, India ranks second in Asia and third globally for cancer incidence by total incidence with a lifetime risk of 11 percent.

The Global Cancer Observatory projections have estimated that the number of new cancer cases per annum could be more than 25 lakh by 2045, and there is thus a need for enhanced prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. Scientists emphasize the necessity of evidence-based targeted therapy and lifestyle modification to counter the rising burden of cancer.