Breast Cancer - A Rising Epidemic in Northern India

As per ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) incidence of breast cancer has nearly doubled in the last 24 years. One in every 22 women is likely to develop breast cancer and it is fast becoming the number one cancer among urban women.

As per ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) incidence of breast cancer has nearly doubled in the last 24 years. One in every 22 women is likely to develop breast cancer and it is fast becoming the number one cancer among urban women. As per the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), India could see around 250,000 new cases of breast cancer by 2015.

According to Dr. S. Khanna, Executive Director, Dharamshila Hospital and Research Centre (DHRC), Out of the 7000 new registrations of cancer patients at Dharamshila Hospital 748 are of breast cancer and this number has been rising gradually since the inception of Dharamshila Hospital in 1990.

Considering the magnitude of the problem, Dharamshila Hospital and Research Centre (DHRC) has organized a National level conference and workshop on 19th & 20th of January 2013 to highlight the Current scenario in Management of Breast Cancer including recent trends in the diagnosis, the role of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the management of this common cancer. There will be a live interactive operative workshop on breast conservation surgery and MRM with breast reconstruction on Saturday, 19th January 2012. The focus is on minimizing surgery and maximizing a good life. On 20th January 2013, the conference will include issues of epidemiology, screening and the oncologist's role in addressing the increasing world burden of breast cancer.

During National Conference, the well known cancer specialists from all over India will explore in detail the prevention, early detection, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and advent of very successful hormone therapies. Advance management of cancer treatment will be the focus of the conference. New Technologies like IMRT, IGRT and Arc Therapy (VMAT) which are effectively used to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy will also be discussed. Oncologists will also discuss the role of Brachytherapy, Chemotherapy and micro details of targeted cancer treatment from different angles.

The discussions shall definitely enlighten the medical fraternity to understand the best possible techniques and management of cancer diagnostics, treatment and cosmetology.