Rising Incidence of Breast Cancer Among Younger Women in Pune
Pune, 26th November 2025: Recent findings from the Pune Population-Based Cancer Registry (PBCR) and clinical insights from the MOC Cancer Care Centre Pune reveal a worrying rise in breast cancer cases among younger women in the city. The PBCR 2012–2014 report recorded an age-adjusted incidence rate (AAR) of 83.0 per 100,000 females, reaffirming breast cancer as the leading cancer site among women in Pune, consistent with earlier 2009–2011 data. More alarmingly, MOC Pune has observed a significant shift toward diagnoses among women in their 30s and 40s, reflecting a growing trend of early-age onset.
In 2025 alone, MOC Cancer Care Centres collectively visited 726 breast cancer cases across Pune: 125 cases at the Pune Centre, 17 in Baner, 95 in Kalyani Nagar, 255 in PCMC, and 234 in Swargate. Experts attribute this upward trend to a combination of lifestyle and behavioural factors, including sedentary routines, irregular diets, chronic stress, rising obesity levels, and delayed medical check-ups. Societal shifts, such as increased career prioritisation among women leading to late marriages, late childbearing, and minimal breastfeeding are also contributing to this rise.
“We are seeing more and more breast cancer in women in their 30s and 40s. Through early detection, with regular screenings and healthier lifestyle behaviours, we can significantly reduce the risk,” said Dr. Ritu Dave, Medical Oncologist at MOC Pune. The centre urges women to prioritise timely screenings, routine self-examinations, and holistic wellness practices to help counter this concerning trend.
