Most Common Cancers Found in Indian Women

Cancer is a common health concern all over the world. In India, cancer rates have been on the rise. Women, in particular, have been under the wrath of this disease recently.

Are you curious to know all about the types of cancer that attack Indian women? Then, keep reading this article to learn more about the most common cancers in women.

According to a report, about 14% of the overall Indian female population is suffering from cancer. It also reveals that the mortality rate is about 12.7 per 1,00,000 Indian women. Now, let us see some of the types of cancer in women commonly seen in India.

1. Colorectal Cancer

One of the most common cancers in Indian women is colorectal cancer. This cancer starts from the colon and/or rectum, which constitute your large intestine. The colon is responsible for absorbing water and salt from the food items entering the small intestine. The remaining waste matter goes into the rectum and is stored there until it passes through the anus.

Colorectal cancer usually starts on the mucosa, which is the inner lining of the rectum or colon. The growth of lumps here is called polyps. Sessile serrated polyps (SSP) and traditional serrated adenomas (TSA) have the highest risks of turning into colon cancer. Once they are on the wall, cancer starts spreading through blood or lymph vessels after passing through all the layers. Some of the common symptoms are discussed below.

• Persistent change in bowel movement
• Fatigue
• Rectal bleeding
• Abdominal pain and discomfort
• Unintentional weight loss

There is no particular reason behind this cancer. Generally, cancer cells might start developing in healthy tissues if the cells in the colon begin developing mutations in their DNA. Mostly, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk. Moreover, malnutrition, chronic inflammatory diseases and a family history of colon cancer can result in this cancer.

The 5-year survival rate of colorectal cancer is less than 40%. According to a GLOBACAN India 2018 report, India observed over 27,000 cases of colorectal cancer, with mortality of 20,000 patients. This cancer contributes to 22.86% of all cancer cases among Indian women. The incidence rate among Indian women is about 3.9 per 100,000 women.

2. Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer also appears in this list of the most common types of cancers in women in India. It is the 18th most common one across the globe. Ovarian cancer starts developing from the ovaries, which are the primary reproductive organs of women. They are responsible for creating female hormones and eggs. This type of cancer hardly shows symptoms early, making it difficult to diagnose. There are no specific causes, but mutations in the cells near the ovaries can develop ovarian cancer. Some of the symptoms of this cancer are as follows.

• Abdominal swelling or bloating
• Loss of appetite
• Discomfort in the pelvic area
• Weight loss
• Fatigue and muscle pain
• Changes in the bowel system
• Frequent urges to urinate 

The risks of ovarian cancer are high among older adults. Moreover, one can also inherit this cancer from their parents or family history. People suffering from obesity and Endometriosis are also at increased risks of this cancer. Furthermore, women at the verge of menopause or releasing postmenopausal hormones can also be at risk.

According to the GLOBOCAN 2018 Fact sheet, ovarian cancer contributes to 3.44% of all cancer cases among Indian women. The 5-year survival rate of ovarian cancer is 45%. The value for the same is around 94%, but only when diagnosed in Stage I. The incidence rate varies between 0.9 and 8.4 per 100,000 women in India. The majority of cases are seen in women 55-64 years of age.

3. Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer starts from the cells of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus connecting to the vagina. The leading cause of this cancer is the mutations that the healthy cells develop in the cervix. A malignant tumour might grow in the lowermost part of the womb through this cancer. You might observe some of the following symptoms.

• Vaginal bleeding after intercourse
• Pain during intercourse
• Bleeding after menopause
• Watery or bloody discharge from the vagina
• Pelvic pain

Having HPV is considered the leading cause of this cancer. Furthermore, people having multiple intercourse partners or indulging in sexual activities from a young age can cause this cancer. Moreover, people addicted to cigarette smoking and have a weak immunity are at higher risks of developing this disease.

If you are wondering which cancer is most common in females in India, then you should know that cervical cancer is a strong contender in this list. Its survival rate is around 46%.  As of 2018, there are about 5,70,000 cases of cervical cancer and 3,11,000 deaths worldwide. In this, India contributes about 1,22,844 annually, according to recent data. There is a cumulative death risk of 1.0% from cervical cancer among Indian women. Nearly 67,477 Indian women die because of it. HPV is responsible for causing 70% of these cases.

4. Oral and Lip Cancer

As the name suggests, oral and lip cancer starts developing from the mouth and lip areas. It mainly begins as a sore or growth in this area that does not go away. While men are at higher risk of developing this type of cancer, the percentage of women's incidence rates are also increasing. Some of the common symptoms are as follows.

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
• Chronic ear pain
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing
• Bleeding in the mouth
• Persistent sore in the mouth area or throat
• Unintentional weight loss
• Change in the dentures fit

People addicted to smoking tobacco and consuming alcohol are at higher risks of developing this cancer than non-smokers. Cigarettes, cigars and pipes are the primary causes of this cancer. A family history of cancer and a poor diet can also result in causing it.

While considering the most common cancers among females in India, oral cancer should not be overlooked. It has a survival rate of 61%. India has the most significant number of oral cancer cases globally, with 77,000 new cases and 52,000 deaths as of recent data. Even though the predominance of men is evident in this cancer, 2012 statistics reveal the incidence of oral cancer at 23161 among Indian women. Nearly 11% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 years consume tobacco, which is the primary cause of this cancer.

5. Breast Cancer

Breast cancer starts in different parts of the breasts. The organ is situated on the upper ribs and chest muscles and comprises glands, ducts, and fatty tissues. In women, breasts are used for feeding milk to newborns. Health researchers are yet to identify the exact causes of this cancer. However, they feel that hormones and lifestyle factors might cause it. Some common symptoms are discussed below.

• Lumps and growths in the breast area
• Changes in shape and size of the breasts
• Newly inverted nipples
• Peeling, scaling and crusting of the skin
• Redness or pitting on the skin

Most cases are seen among older adults, so growing age can be a risk factor. Moreover, a personal history of breast conditions like lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or family history of breast cancer can also pose threats. People suffering from obesity, menopausal complications, radiation exposure and postmenopausal hormone therapy can also develop this cancer.

As of 2020, about 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer globally. It is one of the most common types of cancer for females in India. In addition, breast cancer has a survival rate of 66%. A 2018 report of Breast Cancer statistics revealed 1,62,468 new registered cases and 87,090 reported deaths from breast cancer in India. According to this study, nearly 50% of Indian women suffer from stages 3 and 4 of breast cancer.

The ways to prevent cancer depends on its type. However, Indian women should generally follow the instructions listed below to avoid getting cancer.

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Develop a healthy and nutritional diet
• Avoid smoking and drinking
• Take HPV vaccine
• Consider birth control pills if your doctor approves
• Reduce direct sun exposure
• Indulge in regular physical exercises
• Clean your surroundings 

Therefore, as this piece observed, the most common types of cancers in women across India can be life-threatening for them. It is hence essential for them to stay under proper precautions. They should maintain a healthy lifestyle and undertake frequent screenings. It will help them diagnose cancer early and thereby get treated.