Health · Medical Research · 4 hrs ago
India’s breast cancer survival rate trails the global median
India’s five-year breast cancer survival rate was 65.7% from 2017 to 2021, compared with a global median of 77.8%.
Doctors say many women in India are diagnosed at stage III or IV, when the cancer is advanced or has spread.
Delays can happen even when women have money, education and access to healthcare.
One doctor described a woman who waited eight to nine months to have a painless breast lump checked and was diagnosed after the cancer had spread to her liver, lungs and bones.
Doctors say some women mistake the lack of pain for a sign that a lump is harmless, while family and work responsibilities can lead them to put off care.
In 2024, breast cancer caused about 694,000 deaths worldwide, and around 70% were in low- and middle-income countries.
The survival gap highlights the importance of taking symptoms seriously, getting a diagnosis promptly and having access to timely treatment.
India’s five-year breast cancer survival rate was 65.7 per cent during 2017–2021, below the global median of 77.8 per cent.
Doctors say diagnosis at an advanced stage is a major factor behind the country’s lower survival.
Low awareness, hesitation to seek care and limited access to cancer centres can delay diagnosis, particularly in rural areas.
Delays can also affect women with education, financial means and access to healthcare.
The World Health Organisation estimated that breast cancer caused about 694,000 deaths worldwide in 2024, with around 70 per cent in low- and middle-income countries.
- Who
- Women with breast cancer in India, and the doctors discussing survival outcomes.
- What
- India’s five-year breast cancer survival rate is below the global median.
- When
- The Indian survival estimate covers 2017–2021; the global death estimate is for 2024.
- Where
- India, compared with global and regional figures.
- Why
- Doctors cite diagnosis at an advanced stage, low awareness, hesitation to seek care and poor access to cancer centres.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
In India, a large share of women, especially in rural areas, arrive at stage III or IV, when the tumour is locally advanced or has already spread. Often a woman noticed the lump when it was small and treatable, but reached us months later. Low awareness, hesitation to seek care and poor access to cancer centres all play a part.
For an Indian woman, everything else comes before her health. She thinks that taking care of herself is selfish. Her children's exams, family functions and family duties always come first, and her health comes last. As women, we take pride in that, and we feel tremendous guilt if we put ourselves first.
India’s five-year breast cancer survival rate was 65.7 per cent.
Breast cancer caused approximately 694,000 deaths globally, according to the WHO.
- India’s five-year survival rate
- 65.7 per cent during 2017–2021
- Global median five-year survival
- 77.8 per cent
- Global breast cancer deaths
- Approximately 694,000 in 2024
- Share of deaths in low- and middle-income countries
- Around 70 per cent
- High-income country survival rate
- 87.3 per cent
Sources
Related news
Pope Leo to have surgery to remove an early-detected lung nodule
What helps manage knee osteoarthritis?
Pope Leo XIV to have surgery to remove early-stage lung nodule
Migraine drug exposure linked to 40% higher miscarriage risk in study
Ageing is cancer’s leading risk factor, and care for older adults is limited
Pope Leo XIV to have surgery to remove early-stage lung nodule
Diet and exercise program led to diabetes remission in 54% of trial participants
Joint pain supplement linked to Cushing’s syndrome in one man
Nearly 59% of English adults with high blood pressure were unaware, study finds
MASH can cause serious liver damage if not detected and treated early
Imaging Measure May Help Flag Poor Recovery After Successful Stroke Thrombectomy
