Doctors stress that younger women should not ignore breast changes, while fear, stigma and limited access to screening continue to delay diagnosis. Advances in radiotherapy are also helping eligible patients preserve the breast without compromising treatment outcomes.
Breast cancer outcomes depend not only on advances in treatment but also on whether women can access screening, recognise warning signs and seek medical advice without delay, doctors say.
Fear, stigma, misconceptions about family history and gaps in screening facilities continue to stand in the way of early diagnosis, even as personalised treatment and improved radiotherapy techniques offer options that can help preserve quality of life.
Dr Ankur Bahl, Principal Director of Medical Oncology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, said breast cancer should not be viewed solely as a disease affecting older women. Cases among younger women remain a concern, making awareness of symptoms and timely medical evaluation important across age groups.
Women should be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel and consult a doctor if they notice a lump, changes in breast size or shape, nipple discharge, skin dimpling or other persistent, unexplained changes. While not every change indicates cancer, unusual symptoms should be evaluated promptly, Bahl said.
Women should also discuss their individual risk factors and appropriate screening schedules with their doctors, particularly if they have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. The absence of such a history does not eliminate the risk, he added.
More from HealthTreatment has evolved to include different combinations of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, depending on the cancer’s type, stage, biological characteristics and the patient’s overall health. Advances in diagnostic testing and precision medicine have helped doctors make more informed treatment decisions, with greater attention to individual needs and quality of life.
Screening barriers persist
Dr Bharat Patodiya, Senior Consultant and Head of Unit III, Medical Oncology, at Asian Hospital, identified the failure to undergo screening as a major gap in breast cancer care in India.
Access remains uneven, he said, with mammography facilities concentrated in large cities and private hospitals. Women in smaller towns and districts may face long distances to screening centres, a shortage of trained female technicians and limited privacy.
Urban women encounter different barriers, including fear of radiation, discomfort during breast compression, embarrassment, cost and difficulty finding time for an appointment. The belief that breast cancer is unlikely without a family history can also discourage screening, although many women diagnosed with the disease have no such history.
Patodiya pointed to research into RNA-based blood tests as a potential additional approach to early detection. These tests seek to identify small RNA signals associated with cancer in blood samples, potentially offering a less invasive option for women who are reluctant to undergo conventional screening.
However, he stressed that the approach is not intended to replace mammography or clinical breast examination when those are indicated. Its potential role is as an emerging option that could encourage more women to participate in screening.
Delayed diagnosis can mean more intensive treatment
Dr Arun Kumar Giri, Director of Surgical Oncology at Aakash Healthcare Superspeciality Hospital, said women often delay seeking medical attention because of competing family and work responsibilities, fear or the mistaken belief that a painless lump is harmless.
In smaller towns, limited access to mammography and female doctors can add to the delay. Some women also turn to home remedies or local healers before consulting specialists, losing valuable time, he said.
By the time the disease is diagnosed, it may have spread to the lymph nodes, potentially requiring more extensive treatment and reducing the chances of a favourable outcome. Giri said these delays should not simply be attributed to ignorance or negligence; social expectations and the demands placed on women can also shape their decisions.
Awareness efforts, he said, must extend beyond occasional campaigns and reach workplaces, residential communities, anganwadis and families. The message should be clear: making time for a breast examination or medical appointment is an essential part of looking after one’s health.
Radiotherapy can help preserve the breast
Dr Charu Garg, Vice Chairman and Head of the Radiation Oncology Unit at Max Healthcare, said radiotherapy plays an important role in enabling many women to undergo breast-conserving treatment.
Breast-conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy can offer outcomes comparable to mastectomy in appropriately selected patients, while allowing them to preserve the breast and supporting body image and confidence.
Garg said advances in breast cancer radiotherapy are making treatment increasingly individualised, taking into account tumour biology, disease stage, surgical history and the patient’s overall health.
Improvements in imaging, treatment planning and delivery allow radiation to be directed more precisely towards the intended area while better protecting nearby healthy organs, including the heart and lungs. Techniques such as deep inspiration breath hold, surface-guided radiotherapy and image-guided radiotherapy have strengthened this approach.
For eligible patients, shorter treatment schedules can also reduce the time spent travelling to and from hospital. Garg said personalised care must extend beyond the technical treatment plan to include support during recovery and consideration of how treatment affects a woman’s life outside the hospital.
Awareness must include support and prevention
Dr Deepak Jha, Chief of Surgical Oncology and Breast Surgery at Artemis Hospital, Gurugram, said early detection can make breast cancer more treatable and may allow patients to undergo less intensive treatment. Screening recommendations, including mammography and clinical breast examinations, should be guided by age and individual risk factors.
He urged women to watch for new lumps, thickening, changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, nipple discharge or inversion, redness and persistent pain. Any unusual change warrants medical attention rather than delay or embarrassment.
Jha also highlighted the role of lifestyle, identifying physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and breastfeeding as measures associated with lower breast cancer risk. Men can also develop breast cancer, he noted, and should not ignore concerning changes.
Beyond medical care, support from family and friends can make a difference during diagnosis and treatment. Accompanying someone to an appointment, listening without judgement and offering practical help can ease some of the burden faced by patients.
Across screening, diagnosis and treatment, the doctors stressed that reducing delays requires accessible services, accurate information and a willingness to act on warning signs. Early evaluation, appropriate screening and treatment tailored to each patient’s needs remain central to improving outcomes and protecting quality of life.
