Cancer Support Group

Times of India
26 February 2011
By Kounteya Sinha
New Delhi, India

Breast cancer cases have doubled in India in the past two decades. The number of women estimated to be dying of breast cancer every year has also been steadily rising. As against an estimated 48,170 women who died of breast cancer in 2007, the number breached the 50,000 mark in 2010. The figure for the year was put at 50,821.

Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of breast cancer deaths among states in 2010 8,882 followed by Maharashtra (5,064), Bihar (4,518), West Bengal (4,095), Andhra Pradesh (3,863), Madhya Pradesh (3,179) and Rajasthan (3,097).

Gujarat recorded 2,632 deaths, Kerala 1,618, Haryana 1,118 and Orissa 1,885. Delhi recorded an estimated 810 deaths due to breast cancer in 2010 compared to 779 in 2009 and 749 in 2008. When it comes to states recording low breast cancer mortality rate, Lakshwadeep recorded the lowest with three deaths followed by Andaman and Nicobar Islands with 19 deaths.

The north–eastern states also showed low levels of breast cancer deaths. Sikkim recorded 30 deaths, Mizoram 49 and Arunachal an estimated 63 deaths.