Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 7: Breast cancer cases among Indian women are rising at an alarming rate of nearly 6 per cent annually, with lifestyle and metabolic changes emerging as key contributors, according to a recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Speaking on the growing concern, Dr Shubham Garg, Director of Surgical Oncology at Dharamshila Narayana Hospital, Delhi, said disrupted sleep patterns, chronic stress and increasing central obesity are significantly reshaping breast cancer risk, particularly among urban and younger women.

Dr Garg noted that Indian data now increasingly supports global research linking poor sleep and disturbed circadian rhythm to breast cancer risk. “Sleep deprivation affects melatonin secretion, estrogen balance, immune surveillance and DNA repair. While not a direct cause, it heightens vulnerability when combined with obesity, sedentary habits and prolonged stress,” he said.

Though non-modifiable factors such as age and genetic predisposition remain the strongest predictors, poor sleep has emerged as a major modifiable risk factor. “Clinically, we are seeing several women without family history developing breast cancer after years of night-shift work, high stress and metabolic dysfunction,” he added.

Highlighting the role of central obesity, Dr Garg explained that excess abdominal fat is biologically more active than peripheral fat. “Visceral fat increases inflammation, insulin resistance and estrogen production. After menopause, fat tissue becomes the main source of estrogen, fuelling hormone-sensitive breast cancers. Waist circumference is often a stronger risk indicator than overall body weight,” he said.

On prevention, Dr Garg emphasised that while lifestyle changes cannot eliminate cancer risk entirely, they can significantly reduce it. “Good sleep restores hormonal balance and immune function, stress management reduces cortisol-driven inflammation, and weight control lowers estrogen levels. These measures also improve outcomes and reduce recurrence risk in survivors,” he said.

He further explained that chronic stress creates a tumour-friendly environment by suppressing immune defence, altering glucose metabolism and disrupting hormonal pathways over time.
Addressing the rising incidence among younger women aged 35–50 years, Dr Garg said sedentary lifestyles, delayed childbirth, reduced breastfeeding, poor sleep and chronic stress are accelerating risk in India, similar to trends seen in western countries. “Delayed diagnosis remains a challenge. Prevention must go beyond mammography and include lifestyle education, metabolic health and stress management at the community level,” he stressed.

Dr Garg advised women delaying childbirth to adopt healthy lifestyles rather than panic. “Delayed pregnancy may slightly increase estrogen exposure, but cancer is not inevitable. Regular exercise, weight control, quality sleep, breastfeeding when possible and timely screening can mitigate risk,” he said.

He also advocated risk-based screening for women with multiple lifestyle risk factors. “While population-wide early screening is difficult in India, women with obesity, sleep disruption or high stress may benefit from earlier and individualised screening, including clinical exams and imaging in their late 30s,” he added.