Breast Cancer at a Glance in India
Most Prevalent Cancer in Women
Breast cancer is the leading cancer among Indian women, accounting for approximately 28–32% of all female cancer cases .
In 2020, it represented about 39.4% of all cancers in women .
Incidence and Projections
Estimated new breast cancer cases in India:
2020: ~205,424
2022: ~216,108
Projected for 2025: ~232,832 .
India is ranked among the top three countries for cancer incidence, contributing over 10% of global cancer deaths .
Mortality & Survival
Nationwide, around three out of five people diagnosed with cancer die from it .
The five-year survival rate for breast cancer across 11 regions is about 66.4% —lower than in many developed nations, largely due to late diagnoses and treatment access gaps .
Stage at Diagnosis
Only 30% of women are diagnosed when the cancer is still localized within the breast.
A concerning 59% are diagnosed when it has spread to nearby structures or lymph nodes, and 11% at a distant metastatic stage .