Breast cancer rates increase rapidly in India
New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed that the incidence of breast cancer has nearly doubled in the last 24 years. ICMR said that one-in-every 22 women is likely to develop breast cancer and it is fast becoming the number one cancer among urban women in India. As per the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), India could see around 250,000 new cases of breast cancer by 2015.
Considering the magnitude of the problem, Dharamshila Hospital and Research Center (DHRC) organized a national-level conference and workshop on January 19-20, 2013, to highlight the current scenario in the management of breast cancer, including recent trends in diagnosis, the role of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the management of this common cancer.
There was a live interactive operative workshop on breast conservation surgery and MRM with breast reconstruction on Saturday, January 19, 2012. The focus was on minimizing surgery and maximizing life. On January 20, 2013, the conference focused on issues of epidemiology, screening and the oncologist's role in addressing the increasing world burden of breast cancer.
During the conference, well known cancer specialists from all over India explored in detail the prevention, early detection, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and advent of very successful hormone therapies.
New technologies like IMRT, IGRT and Arc Therapy (VMAT), which are effectively used to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy, were also discussed. Oncologists also discussed the role of brachytherapy, chemotherapy and micro details of targeted cancer treatment from different angles.
