Cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming approximately 9.6 million lives annually—one in every six deaths—according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Among various types, breast cancer is uniquely linked to gender, primarily affecting women. According to the WHO, nearly half of diagnosed women have no major risk factors beyond being female and over 40, while others face risks such as obesity, alcohol consumption, genetics, and reproductive history.
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cause of cancer-related death among women on a global scale as per the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRFI). The WHO estimates that 2.3 million cases were diagnosed in 2022, leading to approximately 6,70,000 deaths. The Global Breast Cancer Initiative launched by the WHO in March 2021, aims to reduce global mortality by 2.5% annually, targeting a reduction of 25% in global breast cancer death rates by 2030 and 40% by 2040. Achieving these goals requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach that prioritises early detection, timely diagnosis, and effective disease management. Increased awareness, improved access to healthcare, and advancements in screening and treatment are crucial in the fight against breast cancer.
India’s breast cancer burden
Breast cancer accounts for 23.76% of all cancer diagnoses globally. India is witnessing a worrying surge in breast cancer cases, ranking third globally after China and the United States in absolute numbers. As per the Global Cancer Observatory, India had the highest number of breast cancer-related deaths, with 98,337 fatalities in 2022. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal were the top three states in India with the highest estimated incidence of breast cancer cases and associated mortality. The major metropolitan cities in India bear the brunt of the disease, with Mumbai (8,237 cases), Delhi (8,080), Chennai (5,461), Bangalore (4,416), and Thiruvananthapuram (4,083) collectively contributing to over half (52.42%) of the nation’s reported cases. A study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) projects a 170% increase in the number of new breast cancer cases and a 200% rise in breast cancer related deaths in India by 2050, underscoring the urgent need for early screening and diagnosis.
A call to improve healthcare infrastructure
With breast cancer cases rising, urgent action is needed to improve healthcare infrastructure. The Indian government, through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), plans to set up 200 daycare cancer centres in district hospitals by 2025-26. However, accessibility remains a concern, especially for rural and less-privileged women.
Strengthening Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Sub-Centres (SCs) for early detection, along with government-led awareness campaigns and screening programmes, could significantly improve outcomes. Deploying radiologists to selected PHCs for fixed hours each week could enhance accessibility, ensure timely diagnoses and help curb the rising death toll.
Leveraging AI for cancer diagnosis
Despite medical advancements in care, India struggles with high breast cancer mortality due to late detection and low awareness. Early screening is crucial, and AI is transforming diagnostics by improving accuracy and efficiency. AI-powered screening tools such as AI integrated mammography machines can aid radiologists in recognising patterns and spotting malignancies that might be missed by human observation, facilitating well-informed decisions and faster interventions. For this, the AI models have to be trained with huge datasets generated through mammography images. The need for faster, better diagnoses in India is urgent: the number of radiologists as a ratio to the population is low, meaning AI tools could potentially enhance diagnosis speed and enable quicker intervention and timely medical treatment.
AI technologies such as Niramai, iBreastExam, and MammoAssist are already being tested to improve early detection, especially in resource-poor areas. Strengthening AI integration in cancer diagnostics could play a pivotal role in combating the country’s growing breast cancer crisis.
The integration of AI in diagnostics can also make the process more efficient and economically viable. AI-assisted tools reduce diagnostic expenses by automating routine tasks, enabling radiologists to focus on complex cases. Moreover, early detection through AI helps lower treatment costs by identifying cancer at a more treatable stage, improving survival rates while easing the burden on healthcare systems.
Challenges and the road ahead
Despite AI’s immense potential in cancer detection, widespread adoption in India faces hurdles such as high costs, the need for specialised training, and data privacy concerns. Policymakers must address these challenges through regulations and incentives to promote AI integration in healthcare. Government initiatives including the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) by the National Health Mission could incorporate AI-based screening to enhance early cancer detection at the grassroots level, improving accessibility and patient outcomes.
To accelerate AI adoption in breast cancer diagnostics, investment in AI infrastructure is crucial for seamless integration into hospitals and diagnostic centres. Training healthcare professionals, including radiologists and technicians, ensures effective use of these technologies. Equally vital is establishing robust data security frameworks to protect patient information and build public trust. Collaborations between the government and private sector can drive research and innovation, while subsidising AI-assisted screenings can enhance accessibility for lower-income groups, promoting early detection and better health outcomes.
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Mobile AI-driven screening units can extend early detection services to remote areas, making it more accessible to underserved populations. Telemedicine consultaions and digital health records can bridge the gap between rural patients and specialists in urban centres. Expanding AI-based diagnostics beyond district hospitals to Primary Health Centers (PHCs) could ensure timely intervention and reduce mortality rates.
A holistic approach—strengthening grassroots healthcare, raising awareness, and integrating AI screening—can be transformative. Collaboration between the government, private sector, and healthcare institutions is essential to making life-saving diagnostics widely accessible. With the right policies and technology, India can significantly reduce its breast cancer burden, enhance the overall quality of cancer care and save countless lives.
(Dr. Narinder Kumar is an assistant professor at RV University. [email protected]; Dr. Varadurga Bhat is an assistant professor at RV University. [email protected]and Dr. Ranjini C. R. is a professor at RV University. [email protected])
Published – April 08, 2025 03:42 pm IST